New Delhi once again woke up under a thick blanket of smog as air quality levels plunged into the ‘severe’ category, raising serious health concerns and disrupting daily life across the national capital. Reduced visibility due to dense smog affected both flight and train operations, while residents struggled with breathing difficulties, eye irritation, and throat discomfort.
According to official data, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in several parts of Delhi crossed the 400 mark early in the morning, placing it firmly in the ‘severe’ category. Experts attributed the sudden deterioration to a combination of factors including calm wind conditions, high moisture levels, vehicular emissions, construction dust, and the accumulation of pollutants from neighbouring regions.
The dense smog significantly reduced visibility at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, leading to delays and rescheduling of several flights. Airport authorities issued advisories to passengers, urging them to check flight status before heading out. Poor visibility protocols were implemented to ensure safety, but fog-like conditions caused intermittent disruptions throughout the morning hours.
Railway operations were also impacted as visibility dropped sharply across northern India. Several long-distance trains to and from Delhi ran behind schedule, while passengers at major railway stations reported delays and slower movement of trains as a precautionary measure.
Health experts warned that prolonged exposure to severe air pollution can aggravate respiratory illnesses, heart conditions, and asthma, especially among children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing medical conditions. Doctors advised residents to limit outdoor activities, wear protective masks, and keep doors and windows closed as much as possible.
Authorities continued to enforce pollution-control measures, including restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). These measures include curbs on construction activities, regulation of diesel vehicles, and increased monitoring of industrial emissions. Officials also appealed to citizens to use public transport and avoid unnecessary travel to help reduce pollution levels.
Despite these steps, environmental experts cautioned that without significant changes in weather conditions—such as stronger winds or rainfall—the smog situation is unlikely to improve immediately. For now, Delhi remains engulfed in hazardous air, with residents bracing for another spell of unhealthy conditions.
