A thick layer of smog has engulfed the national capital, with the AQI ‘severe’ and soaring past the 400 mark – at least 30 times above the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limit, resulting in health hazards, flight delays, and low visibility.
The neighbouring cities of Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad also witnessed heavy smog and poor air quality. The weather conditions prompted diversions of at least 10 flights, including six to Jaipur and one to Lucknow, as per a report in NDTV.
Kind attention to all flyers!#Fog #FogAlert #DelhiAirport pic.twitter.com/nNRLZGe2cG
— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) November 13, 2024
The Indian Meteorological Department said on X that there is zero visibility in Delhi airport. Among other airports, Adampur in Punjab and Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh also have zero visibility at present.
Visibility based on 0830 IST Observation of today, 13th Nov 2024 at Delhi Airport (IGI)#fog #fogalert #weatherupdate #weatherforecast #IMDWeatherUpdate #DelhiNCR #delhifog #delhi@DelhiAirport @DGCAIndia @AAI_Official @RailMinIndia @NHAI_Official @moesgoi @DDNewslive… pic.twitter.com/JnjdGSckZM
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 13, 2024
AQI measures the particulate matter, or PM 2.5, in the air that can enter the lungs and cause health issues. As per the WHO, AQI values at or below 100 are considered satisfactory. The air quality in Delhi-NCR is likely to worsen as the temperature reduces.
Authorities urged residents to stay indoors and use public transport to cut emissions, while Delhi-NCR residents took to X to highlight the severity of the issue and call for government action.
People jogging at Sanjay Van during cold morning, amid hazy weather conditions in NEW Delhi on wednesday. @santwana99 @NewIndianXpress #delhismog #Pollution pic.twitter.com/ekGfDXJDTI
— Shekhar Yadav (@Shekharyadav02) November 13, 2024
Annual Delhi pollution season as smog engulfes the city pic.twitter.com/1NHgvLIigF
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) November 13, 2024
Visibility gone for toss in Delhi NCR today. Winter( Fog/Smog) has arrived finally in Gurugram it seems. Time to turn on the air purifier 24x7.
— Bishwajeet Mahato (@mahato99) November 13, 2024
Expect good number of road accidents from now onwards. pic.twitter.com/ZvzChgVlUx
Is there a Govt in Delhi? The smog is literally choking us but there’re no signs of alarm, even the usual cosmetic measures are missing this winter! Is India competing with Lahore to breach the 1000 AQI level? Wake up #DelhiCM, wherever you are! #delhipollution pic.twitter.com/1QrDVDwoti
— RD (@DharRenuka) November 13, 2024
Breathing? It’s becoming a luxury! #Delhiites are locked in a showdown with relentless air pollution as #DelhiAQI ranging from a 343 to 411.
— Thugs Of Delhi (@ThugsOfDelhi_) November 10, 2024
The result? A not-so-pleasant mix of coughs, wheezes, burning eyes- just in time for peak smog season!#Delhi#DelhiNyayYatra pic.twitter.com/gdBRlxeAeG
Delhi is among the most polluted capital cities, with India ranked as the world’s third-most polluted country after neighbours Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Newslaundry earlier did an audit of Delhi’s air crisis solutions, ranging from planting drive to smog towers. Read here.
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