Air quality stays very poor in Delhi because a combination of thick fog and still winter weather pushed the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) into the “very poor” range. This situation greatly affected both travel and daily life in Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR). The India Meteorological Department (IMD) took the unusual step of issuing a red alert for very thick fog, raising serious concerns about the dangerous living conditions and health risks for residents.

Source: X

Citywide Transportation Disrupted by Heavy Fog

On Monday and Tuesday mornings, dense fog blanketed large parts of Delhi, reducing visibility to dangerously low levels. The situation at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport was terrible, with visibility significantly reduced. This led to the cancellation of many flights and hundreds of delays.

Airport staff struggled to keep things running smoothly under such difficult conditions. Reports showed that about 128 flights were cancelled on Monday and around 118 on Tuesday, with several others rerouted because pilots couldn’t see the runways clearly.

Train travel also suffered due to the fog, which stretched across the rail lines. Trains moved slowly, experienced delays, and faced other operational issues on both long-distance and local services entering and leaving Delhi. Passengers had to wait much longer than expected and deal with changing schedules as safety measures were put into place due to the poor visibility.

Also Read: Reef Damage Near Disputed Shoal Linked To Military Drills, China Says

Rising Pollution Levels Increase Health Concerns

The IMD and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) confirmed that the cold, calm winds and the heavy fog were trapping pollutants near the ground. This prevented contaminants from spreading, which caused the AQI readings to rise.

Monitoring stations across the city, such as those in Noida and Ghaziabad, reported AQI values well above 300, indicating very poor to severe air quality. These kinds of conditions significantly increase health risks, especially for children, older adults, and people with breathing problems.

Also Read: NGT Halts ‘Tiger Road’ Construction In Manipur, Citing Environmental Concerns

Authorities Issue Alerts and Advisories

The India Meteorological Department raised its warning level and kept a red alert in place for parts of the NCR until late afternoon. Airport and rail authorities have issued travel advisories, urging passengers to check the status of their flights or trains before heading out, as air quality stays very poor in Delhi.

Doctors have been advising people to wear protective masks when they go outside and to cut back on physical activity, particularly in the early morning and evening when pollution levels are highest. Schools and workplaces are also considering changing their schedules to address worsening conditions. As Delhi prepares for continued cold weather, officials are carefully monitoring air quality and fog density to develop more strategies to reduce the impact.

Also Read: Mass Protests And Mining Concerns Prompt Supreme Court’s Suo Motu Action On Aravallis