Thick Layer Of Fog Wraps Delhi, Other Parts Of North India As Visibility Drops To 50 Metres

Delhi experienced a foggy morning with 'very poor' air quality (AQI 366), significantly reducing visibility.

Visibility dropped significantly in Delhi as layer of smog wrapped the city on Wednesday.

Source : PTI

Delhiites woke up to a foggy morning on Wednesday with a significant drop in visibility due to "very poor" air quality. The city recorded an Air Quality Index of 366, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. 

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", 401 and 450 "severe" and above 450 "severe-plus"

Surrounding areas of Delhi including Noida, Gurugram, Ambala, Rohtak, and Karnal also witnessed similar scenes with smog and fog engulfing these cities. 

Several cities in north India, including the national capital, recorded visibility below 1000 metres and 500 metres. The visibility at Delhi airport was reduced to 200 metres at 5:30 am on Wednesday which further plummeted to 100 metres at 6 am. Ghaziabad's Hindon airport also logged a visibility of 100 metres. 

#WATCH | A layer of smog engulfs the area around India Gate as the Air Quality Index (AQI) across Delhi continues to be in the 'Very Poor' category in several areas as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). pic.twitter.com/fysBenqUqL

— ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2024

Other airports which recorded low visibility were Patna (800 metres), Varanasi (800 metres), Agra (800 metres), Chandigarh (400 metres), Gorakhpur (200 metres), Deoghar (150 metres), Palam (100 metres), Hindon (100 metres), and Amritsar (50 metres).

Several flights at Delhi Airport were rerouted due to a significant drop in visibility, according to the Times of India. 

Issuing a passenger advisory, the Delhi Airport stated that flights that are not CAT III compliant may be affected. "Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information," it added. 

People in Delhi faced problems with breathing and irritation in the eyes due to the adverse conditions. 

"We are facing problems. I am a senior citizen. My grandchildren are also suffering the problems while going to school. We are having breathing issues, irritation in the eyes and throat," a resident told ANI. "The reason behind this is the use of vehicles and the main reason is stubble burning...," he added.