Delhi AQI slips into severe category as cold weather and dense fog disrupt daily life; Netizens vent frustration

On Monday, Delhi saw yet another challenging morning as the city’s air quality entered the danger zone due to high pollution and dropping temperatures. Due to Delhi’s declining AQI, many areas of the capital were experiencing poor air quality and reduced vision. The India Meteorological Department reports that the temperature dropped to 8.2°C throughout the night.

Additionally, the air quality surpassed the 450 threshold in multiple locations, entering the Severe Plus category. On Monday, the IMD issued a yellow advisory for dense fog, alerting people to the possibility of poor visibility in the early morning. Additionally, commuters reported slower traffic, especially on the routes and highways that go into and out of the capital. Additionally, the Delhi Airport issued a warning to travelers about potential delays.

“Due to dense fog, flight operations may experience disruptions. We are working closely with all stakeholders to minimize inconvenience to passengers. For the latest flight updates, passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused,” the advisory said.

The situation is still being closely monitored as winter conditions start to set in, but officials have not yet declared any new emergency measures. Delhi’s air quality is now in the severe category due to trapped pollution caused by falling temperatures and heavy fog. Delhi is now in the “Severe Plus” category because its AQI has above 450.