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Delhi, Mumbai Wake to Dense Fog; Flights Delayed as AQI Stays Poor

Several major Indian cities, including Delhi and Mumbai, woke up to foggy and hazy conditions on Monday morning. Delhi's air quality remained in the 'poor' to 'very poor' categories, disrupting flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport. While Mumbai reported 'moderate' air quality with visible smog, authorities have revoked Stage-III GRAP restrictions in Delhi due to improved conditions. Officials continue to monitor the situation and urge adherence to remaining air quality guidelines.

Key Points: Delhi Fog Disrupts Flights, AQI Remains Poor | Latest Updates

  • Delhi AQI in 'poor' to 'very poor' range
  • Flight delays at IGI Airport due to low visibility
  • Mumbai records 'moderate' AQI with haze
  • GRAP Stage-III restrictions revoked
2 min read

Delhi wakes up to layer of fog as AQI remains in 'poor' category, flights delayed at IGI Airport

Delhi and Mumbai face foggy mornings with poor air quality, causing flight delays at IGI Airport. Get the latest AQI data and GRAP updates here.

"revoked Stage-III restrictions... citing a significant improvement in air quality due to favourable meteorological conditions. - CAQM Sub-Committee"

New Delhi, January 5

Several Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai and Guwahati, woke up to a layer of fog on Monday morning. Air quality varied from 'poor' to very poor' category across several parts of the national capital, while several flights were delayed at the IGI Airport.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi recorded AQI at 260 in the 'Poor' category by 8 am on Monday.

Visuals from Akshardham showed the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 294, falling in the 'poor' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCM). At ITO, the AQI was recorded as 256, also categorised as 'poor', while Anand Vohar reported a sharper decline at 320, placing the area in the 'very poor' bracket.

Chandni Chowk remained one of the worst-affected areas, recording an AQI of 337 under the 'very poor' category. The reduced visibility due to fog and smog disrupted flight operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, with several flights delayed during the early hours of the day.

Meanwhile, Mumbai also woke up to hazy conditions, with visuals from the Bandra Kurla Complex and Bandra Reclamation showing a visible layer of smog engulfing the city. The AQI in the area stood at 132, categorised as 'moderate' by CPCB.

In the Northeast, Assam's capital, Guwahati, experienced a cold and foggy morning as a cold wave gripped the city. The AQI was recorded at 72, falling in the 'satisfactory' category. The India Meteorological Department forecast a minimum temperature of 14 degrees Celsius for the city.

Notably, in Delhi, the Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) under the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and adjoining areas revoked Stage-III restrictions on Friday evening, citing a significant improvement in air quality due to favourable meteorological conditions.

However, authorities have urged citizens to strictly follow the guidelines under Stages I and II of the existing GRAP schedule to prevent further deterioration in air quality. The government also clarified that construction and demolition sites issued specific closure orders for violations or non-compliance with statutory norms will not be allowed to resume operations without explicit approval from the Commission.

The Sub-Committee said it will continue to closely monitor the air quality situation and review conditions periodically, taking further decisions based on forecasts provided by the IMD and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Had to drop my parents at IGI this morning. Complete chaos! Flight was delayed by 3 hours because of the fog. The visibility was practically zero on the expressway. Authorities need better contingency plans for this annual issue.
A
Aman W
Look at the difference! Guwahati at 72 (satisfactory) and Delhi at 260+ (poor). It's not just the weather, it's our unchecked pollution. Stubble burning, vehicle emissions, construction dust... we need stricter, year-round enforcement, not just seasonal GRAP stages.
S
Sarah B
I'm visiting from Canada and the air quality here in Delhi is a genuine shock. The haze is constant. It puts into perspective how much we take clean air for granted. My heart goes out to residents who deal with this every day.
V
Vikram M
Chandni Chowk at 337... that's our historic heart of Delhi. It's sad to see. While the article says GRAP Stage-III was revoked, maybe it was too soon? The 'significant improvement' seems very temporary. Health should come first.
K
Kavya N
Mumbai's AQI is 'moderate' but the smog layer at BKC was very visible today. Even we are not spared anymore. It's a pan-India urban problem now. Time for collective, citizen-driven action alongside government measures. Carpool, use metros, avoid waste burning.

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