Dense Fog and 'Severe' Pollution Disrupt Delhi Flights; Cancellations and Delays Hit IGI

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Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) data published on the Sameer app reports that the AQI reading in Delhi has now crossed 450 at 7:05 AM. As a result, a thick blanket of smog covered Delhi, leading to low visibility, which eventually led to cancellation of 61 flights.The smog also caused delays of approximately 400 flights.

Air Quality Plummets: 'Severe' AQI and Health Concerns

The Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi reached an alarming 457 and these readings crossed the mark of 500 at several monitoring stations, which is an alarming indicator for the residents of the city. An AQI above 400 is considered 'severe' by the Central Pollution Control Board. Readings higher than 450 fall under the 'severe plus' category. This indicates an extremely dangerous level of air pollution. Such conditions pose serious health risks to all residents.

The level of this Air Quality Index, falling in the "severe plus" category, results in people with sound health suffering from breathlessness and a sense of congestion in the chest. Those with pre-existing ailments related to lungs or hearts are at a higher risk.

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The Commission for Air Quality Management in this case initiated "Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan."  “This plan stipulates immediate action to avert any further increase in levels," an official statement read. The situation portrays an ongoing public health crisis in the capital.

Passenger Travel Disruption and Airline Guidance

Dense fog along with severe pollution significantly impacted air travel in Delhi. Particularly, the Indira Gandhi International Airport faced disruptions in flight operations. Reportedly, the visibility in the national capital region dropped to as low as 50 metres. This poor visibility led to cancellation or diversion of numerous flights. According to Hindustan Times, over 400 flights were delayed throughout the day. 

Following this sudden rise of AQI, Delhi airport issued a travel advisory, stating that “Due to dense fog, flight operations may experience disruptions. We are working closely with all stakeholders to minimise inconvenience to passengers.” Further adding, “For the latest flight updates, passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused.”

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Airlines like IndiGo and Air India also issued similar advisories. IndiGo stated, "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.” It also requested passengers to stay updated on the flight status via the official website or app.