A thick blanket of fog combined with dangerously high pollution levels brought the national capital to a grinding halt on Friday, December 20, 2024. The severe weather conditions triggered significant travel chaos, particularly at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, where over a hundred flights were delayed, diverted, or cancelled.
Travel Gridlock and Airport Chaos
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a dense fog alert for the morning, and its prediction proved accurate as visibility plummeted. At the IGI Airport, the situation became critical with visibility dropping below 50 meters during the peak morning hours. This led to a cascading effect on flight schedules across the country.
More than 100 flights were impacted, with many experiencing delays of several hours. Several incoming flights were forced to divert to alternative airports, while a number of departures were cancelled outright. Airlines issued advisories urging passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport, as real-time information changed rapidly.
Passengers faced immense hardship, with long queues forming at help desks and crowded terminals becoming the norm. The low visibility also severely affected road and rail transportation, causing major delays on highways and for several train services passing through the Delhi region.
Orange Alert and Pollution's Choking Grip
Compounding the fog problem was a sharp and hazardous decline in air quality. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) data indicated that the Air Quality Index (AQI) entered the 'severe' category in multiple locations across the city. In response to the dual threat of dense fog and toxic air, authorities issued an orange alert for the day.
This alert signifies that the conditions are severe enough to impact public health, especially for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory or cardiac conditions. Doctors advised residents to avoid outdoor activities and strenuous exercise. The use of N95 or equivalent masks was strongly recommended for anyone venturing outside.
The combination of fog and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) created a smog-like environment, reducing visibility to a minimum and making the air dangerous to breathe. The typical wintertime factors of low wind speed, dropping temperatures, and increased biomass burning in neighbouring regions were cited as primary contributors to the pollution spike.
Official Response and Precautions
Officials from the IMD stated that the foggy conditions are likely to persist for the next few days, with similar warnings in effect. The airport authorities have activated their low visibility procedures, which include the use of advanced instrument landing systems to guide some aircraft. However, these measures have limited capacity, leading to the widespread disruptions.
In light of the orange alert, the local government's environment department has been directed to strictly enforce Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This includes:
- Increased frequency of mechanised sweeping and water sprinkling on roads.
- Strict vigilance to prevent garbage burning and dust from construction sites.
- Advisories to the public to use public transport and avoid private vehicles where possible.
The situation serves as a stark reminder of the annual environmental and public health crisis that grips Delhi each winter. While immediate measures aim to mitigate the travel disruption, the recurring nature of the problem underscores the need for long-term, sustainable solutions to the capital's air quality issues. Travelers are advised to stay updated with official alerts from airlines, railways, and weather departments over the coming days.
