Delhi witnessed severe disruption to daily life as dense fog reduced visibility to near zero, crippling air, road, and rail traffic across the national capital and surrounding regions. The situation was compounded by hazardous air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) plunging to 383, categorised as ‘very poor’, raising fresh health concerns for residents.
The thick fog blanket descended over Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) during the early morning hours, significantly impacting flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Several flights were delayed, diverted, or rescheduled as low visibility procedures were implemented. Airport authorities advised passengers to check flight statuses in advance, while airlines reported cascading delays due to tight winter schedules and poor weather conditions.
Rail services were also hit, with dozens of long-distance and suburban trains running late. Fog-related speed restrictions and safety protocols led to delays stretching into several hours, affecting passengers travelling to and from northern India. Railway officials said that while safety remained the top priority, dense fog during winter months continues to pose operational challenges.
On the roads, visibility in many areas reportedly dropped to a few meters, making driving extremely risky. Traffic slowed to a crawl on major arterial roads, highways, and expressways connecting Delhi with neighboring states such as Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Authorities urged commuters to use fog lights, maintain safe distances, and avoid unnecessary travel during early morning hours. Several minor accidents were reported, largely attributed to poor visibility and slippery conditions.
Adding to the crisis, Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category, with AQI levels hovering around 383. High concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants were recorded, posing serious health risks, especially to children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or heart conditions. Medical experts advised residents to limit outdoor activity, wear protective masks, and keep windows closed during peak pollution hours.
Environmental experts pointed to a combination of factors behind the deteriorating conditions, including low wind speeds, high humidity, cold temperatures, and persistent emissions from vehicles, construction activity, and biomass burning in surrounding regions. These conditions trap pollutants close to the ground, intensifying both fog formation and air pollution.
The government has activated emergency response measures under existing pollution control frameworks, including stricter monitoring of construction sites and advisories to reduce vehicular emissions. However, experts warn that such measures offer only temporary relief unless supported by long-term structural changes.
Weather officials predict that foggy conditions may continue over the next few days, particularly during early mornings and late nights. While a slight improvement in visibility is expected during daytime hours, air quality is likely to remain under stress unless stronger winds or rainfall help disperse pollutants.
For Delhi residents, the dual challenge of dense fog and toxic air has once again highlighted the city’s vulnerability during winter months. As transportation systems struggle and health risks rise, the situation underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions to tackle both pollution and climate-related disruptions.
