Delhi air turns hazardous as dense fog disrupts flights, AQI stays very poor

Delhi woke up to thick smog and dense fog on Monday. The air quality remained firmly in the “very poor” category. As a result, health concerns grew across the city. At the same time, low visibility disrupted air travel at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Early morning data confirmed the grim picture. At 7:05 am, Delhi’s average Air Quality Index stood at 366, according to the Sameer app. This reading kept the capital in the “very poor” zone. In many pockets, pollution levels worsened further and crossed into the “severe” range.

North Delhi recorded the highest pollution levels. The Narela monitoring station showed an AQI of 418, the worst reading in the city on Monday morning. Soon after, several other areas followed the same trend. Anand Vihar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Rohini, and Wazirpur all reported AQI levels between 401 and 408. These figures placed them in the “severe” category and raised fresh alarms for residents.

Meanwhile, even the least polluted areas offered little relief. Dilshad Garden recorded the lowest AQI among the city’s 40 monitoring stations. Yet, the reading still stood at 301. This level remained firmly in the “very poor” category. Therefore, no part of the city experienced clean or even moderate air.

The Central Pollution Control Board defines clear AQI limits. An AQI between 0 and 50 counts as “good.” Levels from 51 to 100 fall under “satisfactory.” Readings between 101 and 200 mark “moderate” air. Values from 201 to 300 signal “poor” quality. The range from 301 to 400 reflects “very poor” air, while 401 to 500 indicates “severe” pollution. On Monday, Delhi hovered dangerously close to the top of this scale.

In parallel, dense fog added to the city’s woes. Visibility dropped sharply during the early hours. Consequently, flight operations faced delays at Delhi’s IGI airport. Airport officials issued a passenger advisory early in the morning. The advisory warned travelers about possible disruptions due to low visibility.

By Monday morning, over 150 flights had already faced delays. Despite this, airport authorities said that operations continued. At 7 am, the airport posted an update on X. The message said that low visibility procedures were in place. It also urged passengers to check with their airlines for real-time updates. The advisory aimed to reduce confusion and crowding at terminals.

Weather conditions played a key role in the situation. The India Meteorological Department had forecast moderate fog for Monday. It also predicted calm winter conditions. According to the forecast, the maximum temperature would hover around 21 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature would stay near 9 degrees Celsius.

On Sunday, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 9.4 degrees Celsius. This reading stood 1.3 degrees above the seasonal average. Meanwhile, the maximum temperature touched 18.1 degrees Celsius. These conditions supported the formation of fog and trapped pollutants close to the ground.

Overall, Delhi continues to battle a toxic mix of pollution and winter fog. Authorities urge residents to limit outdoor exposure. Schools and offices remain alert. With no immediate relief in sight, the capital braces for more hazardous mornings ahead.