Delhi’s air quality plunged into the “very poor” category on Wednesday morning, with an intense layer of smog and dense fog covering the city. This hazardous atmospheric condition, accompanied by severely reduced visibility, led to the diversion of several flights at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The thick fog made visibility so poor that even flights equipped with advanced navigation systems like Category III (CAT III) were affected. The airport issued a public advisory, emphasizing that flights not equipped with CAT III technology would face delays or potential cancellations. Passengers were urged to contact airlines for the latest flight schedules as the authorities worked to manage the disruptions caused by the smog.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the dense fog began forming around 5:30 am, with visibility dropping sharply across Delhi. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported some of the highest pollution levels in areas like Aya Nagar, Anand Vihar, and Delhi University’s North Campus, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassed 400. This AQI level is classified as "severe," posing serious health risks for the general population. Other regions recorded similarly alarming AQI levels, with Anand Vihar at 396, Jahangirpuri at 389, ITO at 378, and the vicinity around the IGI Airport at 368. As a whole, Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI was recorded at 361, underscoring the widespread nature of the pollution.
Meteorologists anticipate that visibility should improve by midday due to low-level surface winds and the urban heat island effect, which can help disperse some of the pollutants. Early signs of this improvement were noted in Safdarjung, where visibility increased to around 400 meters. However, areas in neighboring states, such as Punjab and Haryana, are likely to see poor visibility persist until later in the afternoon, as the smog and fog extend beyond the Delhi borders.
Across Delhi, visuals showed vehicles moving cautiously with fog lights on, navigating near-zero visibility conditions, particularly along major roadways like the Delhi-Meerut Expressway. Traffic flow was notably slower, as drivers had to adapt to the unusually low visibility. Authorities have urged extreme caution for all motorists, advising them to maintain safe distances and use fog lights in light of the smog, which has made road travel riskier than usual.
The thick fog and dense smog are largely attributed to a confluence of seasonal and environmental factors. The current atmospheric conditions, combined with heavy concentrations of smoke and dust particles, serve as catalysts for fog formation. Dust and smoke particles from sources such as vehicular emissions, construction activities, and crop residue burning in neighboring regions like Punjab and Haryana contribute significantly to Delhi’s pollution. These particles, which act as condensation nuclei, encourage rapid fog formation, leading to what experts term a “smog-fog” phenomenon. This blend of smog and fog, common in Delhi’s winter months, amplifies pollution levels and reduces air quality.
This combination poses health risks for residents, particularly those with respiratory conditions, the elderly, and children. The severe AQI levels increase the likelihood of health issues, such as asthma exacerbations, respiratory infections, and other pollution-related ailments. The government has advised the public, especially vulnerable groups, to stay indoors as much as possible, use masks if they must go outside, and avoid outdoor activities during peak pollution hours. In an effort to mitigate the crisis, local authorities are exploring emergency measures, including halting construction activities temporarily, deploying anti-smog guns in high-traffic areas, and considering alternate-day driving schemes to cut down on vehicular emissions. Schools in some regions have also issued advisories to parents, with some planning to shift to online classes if conditions continue to worsen.
Delhi’s recurring smog problem, exacerbated by seasonal crop burning in neighboring states and local pollution sources, underscores the urgent need for both immediate actions and long-term solutions to address air quality. Environmentalists and health experts stress the importance of coordinated measures across states to effectively tackle the root causes of the pollution crisis. The current crisis serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the capital in managing air quality and safeguarding public health, especially during the winter months when meteorological conditions trap pollutants close to the ground.
