Delhi Chokes: Toxic Smog Cripples City, Cancels 228 Flights Amid 6th Straight Severe Air Day
Image Source: Internet
A toxic sheet of fog enveloped Delhi on Monday, severely disrupting road and rail traffic, and grounding 228 flights as of 10 pm. The city's already fragile air quality plummeted to a third consecutive 'severe' category, with a 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) of 427 at 4 pm. The dense fog, the first of its kind this season, forced the Delhi government to shift schools to online mode for students up to Class 5. As the noxious cocktail gripped the city, residents complained of labored breathing and burning eyes. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for Tuesday, predicting moderate fog in the early hours, but strong surface winds might help disperse pollutants. The Indira Gandhi International Airport, which has struggled with scheduling meltdowns, was thrown into disarray, with departures halted nearly five hours between 4 am and 9 am. The cascading effect of the morning crisis led to hundreds of passengers being stranded or delayed for hours. In total, the airport saw 800 flights delayed and 228 cancelled. Despite recent upgrades, the airport struggled with take-offs, which require a minimum runway visual range (RVR) of 125 meters. The congestion on the ground eventually forced a slowdown, compounding delays across terminals and runways. Airlines preemptively cancelled flights to prioritize safety and minimize extended waiting times. Northern Railways reported over 90 trains delayed, and at least four people died in multi-vehicle pile-ups on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. The IMD official noted that visibility improved after 9 am, but the alarming spike in pollution was due to local sources, not poor meteorological conditions. Forecasts suggest possible respite ahead, with the air quality expected to reach the 'very poor' category from December 16-18.
