Delhi-NCR wakes up to dense fog with near-zero visibility, AQI crosses 450 in Anand Vihar and Akshardham. Here’s what IMD says todayheadline

The residents of Delhi and NCR woke up to dense fog on Monday, December 15, reducing visibility across the national capital and thus making it difficult for commuters to travel smoothly. A thick fog engulfed the national capital and the fog was so dense that visibility was reduced to just 5-10 meters. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for fog for most parts of UP, including Noida and Ghaziabad, urging residents to remain cautious. The IMD has said the temperatures at night might plunge to 8.2 degrees Celsius. The weather compounded an already grim air quality situation. The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi in the Anand Vihar and Akshardham categorised as ‘Severe’, as claimed by CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board).was recorded at 493. However, according to AQI.in, the AQI in the national capital was recorded at 586, considered in the ‘hazardous’ level.

Delhi AQI in severe catogory

Currently, the situation in the capital is critical, with air quality plunging into the ‘Severe Plus’ category, surpassing the 450 AQI mark. Delhi’s Ashok Vihar recorded an AQI of 500 on Monday early morning under the same conditions. Air quality in Delhi is likely remain poor due to air pollution.

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Despite low vehicle movement in the early morning, residents saw no relief as calm winds trapped pollutants close to the ground. At 5 am, the overall Delhi AQI stood at 460. A series of videos on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) showed dense fog blanketing the city, leaving visibility so poor that driving became extremely challenging for motorists.

Visuals shared by news agency ANI showed the thick blanket of toxic smog enveloping Anand Vihar and Akshardham areas with the air quality index recorded at 493, placing it in the ‘Severe’ category. Similar scenes were witnessed in Dwarka, where the AQI stood at 469, falling in the ‘Severe’ category.

Dense fog likely in Punjab, Haryana

The IMD has warned of dense fog conditions in Northeast India, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and northeast Madhya Pradesh from December 15 to December 16. According to the IMD, A Western Disturbance is expected on December 17th and that could bring cloudy conditions to Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan. This could block the winds coming from the northwest, potentially worsening air pollution and increasing smog levels. A slight improvement in conditions is expected from Tuesday onwards.

“Dense fog conditions very likely to prevail during early hours/morning hours in isolated pockets of Uttar Pradesh on 15th & 16th with very dense fog over Uttar Pradesh on 15th December,” the IMD said.

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Delhi Airport issues advisory

Passengers scheduled to fly from the Delhi Airport on Monday should know that the authorities have warned of disruption in operating flights due to the dense fog. In a post on X, the Delhi Airport said, “Due to dense fog, flight operations may experience disruptions. We are working closely with all stakeholders to minimize inconvenience to passengers. For the latest flight updates, passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused.”

IndiGo also issued an advisory, asking passengers to regularly check their flight status through its website or mobile app.

“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. Here’s hoping dearer skies help us serve you better soon and thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time,” the airline said in a statement.

(With agency inputs)