Delhi fog intensifies travel disruptions and air quality concerns
Delhi woke up to a grim reality on Saturday morning as thick blankets of fog engulfed the national capital region (NCR), severely impacting visibility and creating hazardous conditions on roads. The DND flyover, a major route connecting key areas in Delhi, witnessed near-zero visibility, as did other prominent stretches like the Barapullah flyover and the Delhi-Jaipur highway. This severe fog disrupted daily life in the city, with travel, both by road and air, severely affected. The ongoing weather conditions also contributed to the already alarming air quality, with the AQI hovering at 353, categorising it as “very poor.” The air quality index and thick fog combined painted a troubling picture for residents and commuters alike.
The fog’s impact wasn’t limited to road traffic. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, a critical hub in the region, issued an advisory for passengers, warning of potential delays. While flight operations were ongoing, the airport notified passengers that flights not equipped with the necessary CAT III technology could face significant disruptions. With multiple flights delayed or rescheduled, the situation highlighted the challenges that extreme weather events, such as thick fog and poor visibility, present to urban infrastructure. The flight and train services were expected to remain affected throughout the day, further underscoring the magnitude of the situation.
On the weather front, Delhi recorded a temperature of 11.2°C at 7 AM, far warmer than typical January averages. The city had already seen an unusually warm January, with the maximum temperature for Friday touching 27°C, marking the highest temperature for the month since 2019. The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast indicated that the minimum temperature for Saturday would be around 10°C, and the region could expect further dense fog over the weekend. However, this rise in temperatures and lack of cold winds prevented typical winter conditions, leading to greater air pollution levels. This anomaly in the city’s winter weather is directly tied to changing climate patterns, which experts are increasingly concerned about.
From a sustainability perspective, the interplay between fog, high pollution, and rising temperatures highlights the growing urgency for urban areas like Delhi to adopt stronger environmental policies. The prolonged “very poor” air quality levels, expected to persist until February 3, point to an urgent need for better pollution control measures. This includes stricter emission standards, enhanced green spaces, and urban planning that reduces vehicular emissions. Civic agencies and the government need to take a more proactive approach, investing in long-term solutions such as improved public transport infrastructure, electric vehicles, and better waste management systems to combat air pollution. The consequences of inaction are felt not only in the daily lives of Delhi’s residents but also in the health and sustainability of the city’s ecosystem.
