Delhi on track to record dirtiest December in 8 years as AQI tops 400
Delhi on track to record dirtiest December in 8 years as AQI tops 400
Dense fog and a lack of rainfall push Delhi's air quality into the very poor range, with AQI hovering around 380-400 and flights disrupted.
Delhi-NCR is grappling with its dirtiest December in eight years as persistent pollution collides with dense fog and a lack of rainfall. At the Safdarjung weather station, the month has already logged three days in the severe category, and the overall AQI has drifted into the very poor range. By 7 am, the city-wide AQI stood around 380, with hotspots such as ITO at 429, Sarai Kale Khan 428, Anand Vihar 428, and Akshardham 420. The lingering smog and stagnant pollutants are making every breath an estimate of risk, as officials warn that conditions may worsen over the weekend.
Authorities point to the absence of rainfall as a key culprit in the worsening air quality. Dense fog blankets the capital, with the India Meteorological Department issuing an orange alert for fog on Saturday and forecasting dense to very dense fog across several areas in the early hours. The combination of fog and pollution has kept the city in the "very poor" to "severe" bands, despite enforcement drives and thousands of challans issued to curb violations. Delhi also logged a nine-day stretch of very poor or severe pollution in November, reinforcing the authorities’ concern that December could be the dirtiest in eight years.
Flight operations have borne the brunt of the conditions. Across the region, hundreds of flights have been disrupted due to low visibility. On a recent day, more than 700 flights were affected, with at least 177 canceled. In separate airport updates, 129 flights were canceled across north India where 66 were arrivals and 63 departures, underscoring the widespread impact of fog on air travel. Airport officials warn that the situation could persist into the weekend, as observers note that dense to very dense fog is expected in the early hours and that nights may see shallow fog or mist.
As the weekend approaches, officials say there is little relief in sight and the city’s air quality is forecast to remain in the very poor to severe range. In the meantime, residents are urged to limit outdoor activity, wear masks, and monitor daily air-quality advisories while authorities consider longer-term pollution-control measures to prevent a repeat of this season’s grim readings.
