Severe air pollution and dense smog have thrown Delhi’s air travel into chaos, with visibility dropping to near-zero in parts of the city. The Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to 432, marking “hazardous” conditions. Early morning flights, particularly those not equipped with CAT III systems, faced significant delays and diversions at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Airlines have issued advisories urging passengers to check their flight statuses and prepare for disruptions.
The situation has also disrupted rail services, as the toxic haze spread to neighboring cities like Amritsar and Jalandhar. The worsening pollution stems from farm fires, vehicular emissions, and unfavorable weather conditions, highlighting a recurring winter crisis across North India.