Delhi Pollution: Smog Hits Flight Operations, IMD Issues Orange Alert

Delhi spent Friday under a thick mix of fog and smog, as visibility dropped sharply and the 24-hour average Air Quality Index climbed to 374 in the “very poor” band. Flights were hit hard, health concerns deepened, and forecasts suggest Delhi fog and pollution may intensify across the coming weekend.

Normal routines slowed through the city as commuters faced near-blank skies and long delays. Experts warned that the combination of Delhi fog and pollution could push conditions towards the “severe” range again, increasing risks for people outdoors, especially those with asthma, heart disease or other existing illnesses.

Delhi fog and pollution air quality trends

Air quality readings during the morning were worse than the daily average, edging close to the “severe” mark at several stations. Many sensors reported highly unhealthy Delhi fog and pollution levels. This December has already logged multiple “severe” days, while since November residents have seen long stretches of very poor air, with only short-lived breaks.

Neighbourhood data underlined wide gaps in Delhi fog and pollution across the city. Vivek Vihar showed the dirtiest air, with an AQI above 430, while Anand Vihar followed with similarly toxic readings. At one point, more than twelve locations slipped into the “severe” category, signalling serious danger for people spending extended time outside.

Delhi fog and pollution weather and visibility

Meteorologists said Delhi fog and pollution are being locked near the ground by weather conditions. The minimum temperature fell to 9 degrees Celsius, with even colder nights predicted over the weekend. Experts noted that low temperatures, weak winds and the lack of rain are preventing pollutants from dispersing into higher layers.

According to the India Meteorological Department, very thick Delhi fog and pollution are likely during early morning hours in many parts on Saturday, with light mist at night. Similar patterns are forecast for Sunday and Monday, when dense fog may return in some pockets and keep pollution trapped close to the surface.

Delhi fog and pollution transport and policy impact

Visibility collapsed during the night, creating severe travel disruption. At Safdarjung, visibility dropped to zero, while Palam recorded only 50 metres during the early hours. Authorities first issued a red alert for fog, before the India Meteorological Department shifted to an orange alert for dense Delhi fog and pollution on Saturday.

Aviation operations suffered as the thick Delhi fog and pollution shrouded the airport for long periods. Poor visibility led to delays for more than 700 flights and the cancellation of at least 177 services on Friday, affecting arrivals, departures and some international routes, and leaving many passengers stuck in terminals for hours.

Officials reported that, despite strict checks on vehicles and thousands of fines across the National Capital Region, emissions from traffic still contribute a significant part of Delhi fog and pollution. They expect this share to rise in the next few days, as calm weather limits natural cleaning of the air, prolonging the strain on residents already facing weeks of hazardous conditions.