Delhi woke up under a thick blanket of smog and dense fog on December 15, with the city’s air quality reaching “severe” levels. The Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 493, with several areas, including Rohini and Ashok Vihar, hitting near the upper limit of 500, making the air hazardous for all residents.
The combination of winter weather, calm winds, and trapped pollutants has intensified smog, reducing visibility drastically. In some parts of the city, visibility dropped to just a few meters, affecting morning traffic and public transport. Commuters faced delays, and roads appeared hazy as dense fog covered the capital.
Flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport were disrupted due to low visibility. Airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet issued advisories warning passengers of potential delays and cancellations. Train services and road transport also slowed as safety measures were enforced.
To curb the escalating pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented Stage‑IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP‑IV). This is the strictest level of emergency pollution control, triggered when AQI exceeds 450. Under these measures: construction and demolition activities are restricted, high‑emission vehicles face limits, diesel generator usage is curtailed, and schools in affected areas are encouraged to shift younger students to online classes. Nearby districts like Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurgaon are also under similar restrictions.
The severe air quality poses serious health risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or heart conditions. Experts advise residents to limit outdoor exposure, use air purifiers indoors, and wear certified particulate masks if travel outside is unavoidable.
Foreign missions, including Singapore, have issued stay‑indoors advisories for their nationals. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, and the fog and smog are expected to persist for the next few days due to winter weather conditions. Residents are urged to take precautions and stay updated on live AQI readings before venturing outdoors.
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