New Delhi – Residents of the national capital woke up to a thick blanket of smog on Wednesday morning, with air quality in the “severe” category. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 432 at 6 a.m., according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The smog significantly reduced visibility, impacting flight operations to and from various cities near Delhi, with Amritsar and Pathankot airports in Punjab reporting zero visibility early in the morning.
IndiGo airlines issued a travel advisory urging passengers to monitor their flight status as delays were expected due to “winter fog.” The airline recommended allowing extra travel time to the airport, as low visibility also slowed road traffic.
Nearby areas also faced hazardous conditions, with Ghaziabad, Noida, and Gurugram seeing AQI readings in the “very poor” category, while Chandigarh, 250 km away, reported an AQI of 415.
While the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology expect pollutant levels to decrease due to stronger winds, the Commission for Air Quality Management is closely monitoring the situation. They may activate Stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) if air quality does not improve.
The ongoing severe air pollution continues to pose serious health risks, particularly affecting vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.