Dense Smog Engulfs Delhi Air Quality Deteriorates

Air quality in the national capital Delhi has deteriorated sharply, with dense smog engulfing the city on Sunday morning and severely reducing visibility. Thick fog spread across Delhi, making it difficult to see even short distances, resulting in major disruptions to rail and air traffic. According to official data, the Air Quality Index (AQI) touched a hazardous level of 439 at around 7:30 am. In response to the worsening pollution, Delhi authorities have enforced GRAP-4 restrictions from Saturday to curb emissions.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported extremely poor visibility in areas such as Safdarjung and Palam, where visibility dropped below 100 metres. Due to the dense fog, several airlines including Air India and IndiGo delayed multiple flights and issued advisories urging passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport. Nearly 35 percent of flights at Delhi Airport faced delays, though officials stated that conditions have been gradually improving since around 8 am. Similar low-visibility conditions were also reported across parts of North India, including Bareilly, Lucknow, Kushinagar, Amritsar, Gorakhpur, and Prayagraj.