Delhi Wakes To Severe Smog For 2nd Consecutive Day; Flights Disrupted, Health Warning Issued As AQI Soars

Delhi experienced another morning of dense smog, with a thick layer of haze blanketing the city and drastically reducing visibility.

The air quality index (AQI) at 6 a.m. was recorded at 432, categorised as "severe" by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Photo Credit: PTI

The heavy smog has raised concerns over potential disruptions to air travel, with early morning reports indicating zero visibility at Punjab's Amritsar and Pathankot airports.

By 7 a.m., Gorakhpur airport in Uttar Pradesh also reported zero visibility.

IndiGo issued a travel advisory on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), alerting passengers to possible flight delays due to "winter fog."

"This morning, winter fog may impact flights to/from Amritsar, Varanasi & Delhi. Do keep a tab on your flight status before heading to the airport. Also, please allow additional travel time as road traffic may move slower than usual due to low visibility. Thank you for your patience, and we wish you a smooth journey," the advisory stated.

Delhi's pollution levels surged over the past 24 hours, with 30 out of 36 monitoring stations reporting AQI in the "severe" range.

Nearby areas, including Ghaziabad (AQI 378), Noida (AQI 372), and Gurugram (AQI 323), also reported worsening air quality in the "very poor" range. Chandigarh, located 250 kilometers from Delhi, reported a severe AQI of 415.

Exposure to "very poor" air quality over time can lead to respiratory issues, while severe levels can impact even healthy individuals and pose a serious risk to those with existing health conditions.

According to the India Meteorological Department and IITM, increased wind activity may help lower pollutant concentrations, with AQI expected to improve to the "very poor" category.

The AQI turned "severe" for the first time this season on Wednesday, with the Commission for Air Quality Management describing the situation as an "episodic event" of "unprecedented extremely dense fog."

Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, with potential plans to implement stricter Stage-III measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).