New Delhi: On Wednesday morning, a dense layer of smog enveloped Delhi and the surrounding regions of Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad, leading to flight diversions. Based on the morning observation, Delhi Airport had 0m visibility. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality index (AQI) remains in the “very poor” category.
Due to adverse weather conditions, 10 flights were diverted, including six to Jaipur and one to Lucknow, since 7 am. Zero-metre visibility was recorded at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at 8.30 am with the Runway Visual Range varying between 125 and 500 metres at different locations, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
Contrarily, visibility was much better in Punjab as Amritsar airport recorded visibility of 50m.
Air Pollution In Delhi
The CPCB data showed the average AQI in Delhi’s Anand Vihar was 393 at 5am on Wednesday. According to Swiss group IQAir’s live ratings, the AQI in Delhi was 1133 (hazardous), with PM2.5 as the main pollutant.
The smog, combined with shallow to moderate fog and mist, led to reduced visibility during the morning hours. Experts expect the hazy conditions to persist into the evening and night, further impacting visibility and increasing health risks for residents, especially those with respiratory issues.
The AQI has been in the “very poor” category since October 30, when it was recorded at 307.
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