New Delhi woke up to a thick blanket of fog on Friday, reducing visibility to zero and causing disruptions in daily life. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a temperature of 9.6 degrees Celsius at 5:30 am, with the day’s minimum expected to drop to 6 degrees Celsius and the maximum hovering around 20 degrees. Dense fog persisted throughout the morning, significantly affecting transportation.
Delhi Airport issued an advisory alerting passengers to potential flight delays, although CAT III-compliant flights continued to operate. Passengers were urged to contact their airlines for updates. The advisory stated, “Due to dense fog, flight departures are impacted. Flights meeting CAT III standards are able to land and depart. We regret any inconvenience caused.”
Adding to the woes, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) deteriorated sharply to the ‘severe’ category, recording 409 at 7 am, compared to 299 the previous day. An AQI between 401 and 500 is classified as hazardous, posing serious health risks.
As the cold intensified, night shelters across the city reached full capacity. The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) set up 235 additional pagoda tents to accommodate the homeless, with shelters placed in key areas like AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and Nizamuddin flyover.
The combination of freezing temperatures, dense fog, and hazardous air quality continues to challenge the residents of Delhi, highlighting the pressing need for both immediate relief and long-term solutions.
