Daily life across Delhi-NCR was severely disrupted on Monday as dense fog reduced visibility to near zero, leading to widespread travel chaos, flight cancellations and school closures. Air quality in the national capital also deteriorated sharply, slipping into the severe category.
The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for very dense fog in Delhi, warning that hazardous conditions would persist through the day. Maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to hover around 22°C and 7°C respectively. Similar alerts have been issued for parts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Flight operations were hit hard, with 128 flights cancelled at Indira Gandhi International Airport, including 64 arrivals and 64 departures. At least eight flights were diverted to alternate airports due to poor visibility. Airport authorities issued advisories early in the morning, cautioning passengers about delays and cancellations.
Several airlines also released travel advisories, warning that fluctuating visibility was slowing down operations. An overnight flight from Goa to Delhi was diverted mid-air after failing to land due to fog, while nearby airports such as Jaipur faced congestion from diverted traffic.
Rail services were also affected, with around 100 Delhi-bound trains running behind schedule, adding to commuter inconvenience at major railway stations.
In Noida, dense fog has persisted since Sunday evening, severely impacting road visibility. Authorities ordered the closure of all schools in the district from December 29 to January 1 as a precautionary measure. Visibility dropped to near-zero levels on the Noida–Greater Noida Expressway and the Yamuna Expressway, forcing traffic to slow significantly.
Alongside fog, pollution levels worsened sharply. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index stood at 403 in the ‘severe’ category. Several areas recorded alarming levels, with Anand Vihar emerging as the worst-affected zone.
Authorities have urged residents to avoid non-essential travel, follow advisories, and take precautions as dense fog and poor air quality continue to pose serious risks.
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