## Delhi Chokes Under Dense Fog, Air Quality Plunges to ‘Very Poor’ as Flights Disrupted
Delhi experienced its first taste of winter’s unwelcome guest on Wednesday – dense fog. The blanket of fog descended upon the city, dramatically reducing visibility, particularly at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), where it plunged to zero meters. This led to a chaotic morning for air travelers as at least ten flights were diverted from the Delhi airport, highlighting the severe impact of the fog on air operations.
The fog brought with it a sharp decline in air quality, pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) to 366, categorized as ‘Very Poor’. This marked the 15th consecutive day that Delhi’s air quality has remained in the ‘very poor’ category, underscoring the ongoing pollution crisis plaguing the national capital. Two monitoring stations, Anand Vihar and Aya Nagar, even reported air quality in the ‘severe’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
As visibility dropped to zero meters at IGI, airport authorities were forced to activate ‘low visibility procedures’ to manage the situation. Flights that were not compliant with Category III (CAT III) landing systems, which are designed to allow landings in low-visibility conditions, were particularly affected. The airport continued operations, but flights not equipped for low visibility conditions faced delays or diversions.
While the city grappled with the fog and worsening air quality, residents also faced the brunt of the health impacts. Many reported experiencing eye irritation, runny noses, breathlessness, and coughing, highlighting the immediate health risks associated with the poor air quality.
The dense fog, which began forming at around 5:30 am, cast a thick haze over various parts of Delhi, further exacerbating the already poor air quality. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Runway Visual Range (RVR) at IGI Airport varied between 125 and 500 meters at different locations, making landings extremely challenging.
The IMD also reported that Delhi’s temperature had dropped to 17 degrees Celsius (63 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday morning, down from 17.9C on Tuesday. The agency cautioned that temperatures may fall further as sunlight remains blocked by the smog, leading to a prolonged period of cold and polluted air.
BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took the opportunity to criticize the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government over the rising pollution, stating that the national capital has become a ‘toxic gas chamber’. Poonawalla, referring to the dense smog, lamented the situation and said, “Delhi has become a gas chamber and AQI has crossed 750. I have come after 9.30 am, and I still can’t see Parliament building. There is such a dense smog.”
The recent events underscore the ongoing air pollution crisis in Delhi, which intensifies during the winter months. The cold, heavy air traps dust, emissions, and smoke, leading to hazardous air quality levels. The city faces an uphill battle to combat this seasonal challenge, and urgent measures are needed to improve air quality and protect public health.
