Delhi Chokes as Severe Smog Crisis Disrupts Flights and Health

Delhi’s air quality remained dangerously poor on Monday. Seven monitoring stations recorded “severe” pollution levels. Dense fog also caused major flight cancellations at the airport. Residents face a dual threat of toxic air and travel chaos.Officials have invoked the highest anti-pollution measures. The health impact is already severe. Hospitals report a sharp rise in patients with breathing problems.

GRAP-IV Measures Enforced as AQI Hits Severe Levels

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was 366, categorised as “very poor”. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed seven stations in the “severe” zone. Narela recorded the worst AQI of 418 early Monday morning.In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated GRAP-IV rules. This includes a ban on most construction work. It also restricts the entry of many diesel vehicles into the capital.The India Meteorological Department issued a yellow alert for fog. Visibility dropped sharply across the city. This directly impacted air and road travel.

Flight Chaos and Worsening Public Health Crisis

Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were severely disrupted. Over 105 flights were cancelled due to low visibility. According to PTI, more than 450 flights faced delays on Sunday.Doctors warn the health toll is mounting fast. Internal medicine specialist Dr. S. Chatterjee spoke to ANI about the surge. He said clinics are seeing more patients with respiratory distress.Cases of asthma, bronchitis, and persistent cough have increased substantially. The toxic mix of winter fog and pollution is overwhelming the city’s defences. Experts urge immediate and sustained public action.

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The ongoing Delhi AQI crisis highlights a critical public health emergency. Authorities are scrambling with emergency measures. However, residents continue to bear the brunt of the hazardous smog.

Info at your fingertips

What is GRAP-IV?

GRAP-IV is the final stage of Delhi’s Graded Response Action Plan. It includes the strictest pollution control measures. These are enforced during severe and prolonged air quality crises.

Why were flights cancelled in Delhi?

Flights were cancelled due to very low visibility caused by dense fog. Delhi Airport enacted Low Visibility Procedures. This major disruption affected over a hundred flights.

What are the health risks of severe AQI?

Severe air quality can cause immediate breathing problems. It aggravates asthma, bronchitis, and other lung diseases. Long-term exposure increases the risk of heart and chronic respiratory conditions.

What was Delhi’s temperature on December 22?

The India Meteorological Department forecast temperatures between 8 and 22 degrees Celsius. The cool, stagnant air worsens the pollution by trapping harmful particles closer to the ground.

Which Delhi area had the worst AQI?

Narela recorded the most severe AQI reading of 418. Six other stations also reported AQI levels above 400, placing them in the “severe” category.

Trusted Sources: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India Meteorological Department (IMD), PTI, ANI.