Delhi air quality remains 'severe'; dense fog disrupts rail traffic, airlines

Delhi and neighbouring areas woke up to a thick blanket of fog and the air quality continued to be in the severe zone on Monday (December 30) morning. The air quality index (AQI) stood at 448 at 9.38 am.

This has lead to over 500 flight delay, 21 diverted and 5 flights cancelled, Delhi airport official stated.

In the neighbouring areas of Ghaziabad (439), Faridabad (465), Noida (471) and Greater Noida (448) also, the AQI was in the severe category. Gurugram’s AQI stood at 344.

Following low visibility in Delhi-NCR due to fog, DND (Delhi Noida Direct) flyway witnessed traffic jam. The minimum temperature was 2.2 degress at Lodhi Road and Aya Nagar at 2.5 degrees. The visibility recorded by the Safdarjung and Palam observatories stood at zero metres at 8.30 am.

Indian Meteorological Dept: Temperatures at 5.30 am IST on 30th Dec 2019 and change in temperature in last 24 hours for major stations of North India: pic.twitter.com/9rGp1TPq7M

— ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2019

Similarly, due to fog, there was low visibility in Ghaziabad and cold wave continued.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Delhi likely to record the most coldest day today in last 119 years for the month of December as day temperature till 2 pm has been unusually following the coldest trend with Safdarjung recording 9.4 degree Celsius.

Meanwhile, Dr Randeep Guleria, AIIMS Director, said, “The cold in Delhi is more severe than the hilly areas. Because of it, there is a rise of 15-20% in patients at out-patient department (OPD). Bronchitis cases go up,heart patients also face risks due to the weather.People should take precautions.”

On Sunday, 30 trains ran late due to low visibility in the Northern Railway region. Minimum temperature of 2.5°C was recorded in the national capital yesterday.

An AQI between 0-50 is considered good , 51-100 satisfactory , 101-200 moderate , 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor, and 401-500 severe. Above 500 is severe-plus emergency category.

The frigid temperatures, high humidity and low wind speed allowed accumulation of pollutants leading to further deterioration in the national capital’s air quality on Sunday. The overall air quality index stood at 437 at 4 pm.

(With inputs from agencies)