A thick blanket of toxic smog continued to engulf Delhi and its adjoining areas on Monday morning, pushing air quality deeper into the ‘severe’ category and severely impacting visibility and flight operations.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the national capital recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 456 at 6 am, making it the second-worst air quality reading of the season so far.
Delhi had recorded an AQI of 461 on Sunday, marking the second-worst air quality day on record.
Visuals from across the city showed a dense layer of smog hovering over major landmarks. At Akshardham, the AQI stood at a hazardous 493, highlighting the alarming pollution levels across the capital.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an ‘orange’ alert for dense smog for Monday, warning of persistently low visibility conditions.
The reduced visibility disrupted air traffic, with flight-tracking website FlightRadar24 reporting delays to at least 110 departing flights and 37 arriving flights at the Delhi airport.
In an advisory posted on X, Delhi Airport cautioned passengers about possible disruptions. “Due to dense fog, flight operations may experience disruptions. We are working closely with all stakeholders to minimise inconvenience to passengers. For the latest flight updates, passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused,” the airport said.
IndiGo also issued a travel advisory, alerting passengers to delays caused by low visibility. “Low visibility and fog over #Delhi will impact flight schedules. We’re keeping a close watch on the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly. We request you to stay updated on your flight status via our website or app. Be assured, our teams are here to assist you at every step and ensure support,” the airline stated.
In a follow-up post, IndiGo urged commuters to factor in additional travel time due to slow-moving road traffic caused by the haze. “Our teams are closely monitoring the situation and will keep you updated. As conditions improve, we will continue departures with safety at the forefront,” it added.
Air India, too, flagged operational disruptions, saying, “Poor visibility due to dense fog is impacting flight operations in Delhi and parts of Northern India.”
Meanwhile, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Saturday invoked the strictest pollution control measures under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) as pollution levels spiked amid unfavourable meteorological conditions. The measures include a complete ban on construction and demolition activities across Delhi-NCR.
In addition, the Delhi government directed 50 per cent of staff in both government and private offices to work from home. Schools up to Class 11—excluding Class 10—have been instructed to conduct classes in hybrid mode, combining physical and online learning.
