Air on verge of ‘severe’ again, smog hits flights

The Capital continued to be blanketed in fog on Thursday due to dipping air quality, which plummeted from the lower-end of “very poor” to around 373 by the afternoon, forcing the cancellation of at least 27 flights and delaying the operation of 500 more, hindering operations for a fourth consecutive day, officials aware of the matter said.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

Delhi had recorded an AQI of 334 the day before. By 9pm on Thursday, the AQI reached 397, moving closer to the “severe” category by the hour. With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a yellow fog alert for Friday, the situation may worsen, experts said.

With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a yellow fog alert for Friday, the operations may continue to remain affected, experts said. To be sure, the IMD had only forecast shallow to moderate fog on Thursday.

“Delhi's air quality is likely be in the ‘very poor’ category from December 19 till December 29. The AQI is likely to be in the ‘severe’ category on December 21. The outlook for the subsequent six days from December 22 also shows that the air quality is likely to be between ‘severe’ and ‘very poor,” said the Centre’s Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi on Thursday.