Delhi engulfed in dense smog again! 118 flights cancelled, over 200 delayed; air quality stays ‘severe’
The Regional Meteorological Department issued orange and yellow alerts for fog in Delhi, with visibility dropping to 350 meters.
DENSE smog in the national capital has caused significant disruption at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday, with 118 flights cancelled, 18 flights diverted, and more than 200 experiencing delays, according to a report by Hindustan Times.
The poor visibility has impacted both arrivals and departures, creating widespread travel disruptions for passengers. Hindustan Times reported that 18 flights were diverted due to dense fog and low visibility conditions at the Delhi airport.
Earlier, IndiGo, in its travel advisory, said it is closely monitoring the situation and making operational adjustments to ensure journeys continue as smoothly as possible.
In its statement, IndiGo said, “Delhi and Hindon (Airport) continue to remain wrapped in chilly winter air and lingering fog this morning. The fluctuating visibility has led to changes in flight schedules, and operations may be slower than usual as conditions evolve. Our teams on-ground are prioritising safety and compliance with visibility requirements. We recommend keeping a tab on your flight status.”
In another post, IndiGo noted, “As weather patterns continue to shift across northern India, fog is expected to develop during the late-night hours and extend into the morning, with periods of reduced visibility across several airports in the region.”
Passengers are advised to proactively check flight status: Ministry
Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) said in a post on X, “Amid prevailing fog and low-visibility conditions impacting flights in parts of Northern India, passengers are advised to proactively check flight status, remain in contact with their airlines and allow extra travel time.”
Airlines have been instructed to strictly comply with passenger facilitation norms, including timely flight information, meals for delayed passengers, rebooking or refunds in case of cancellations, no denial of boarding after timely check-in, baggage facilitation and prompt grievance redressal. The Ministry of Civil Aviation remains committed to passenger safety, convenience and well-being, and continues to closely monitor the situation, the MoCA added.
Delhi AQI today
Meanwhile, the city's air quality improved slightly this morning. The city's AQI was recorded at 388 at 8 am, placing it in the “very poor” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
According to the CPCB, several areas across the city recorded 'severe' air quality, with AQI levels exceeding 400. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 451, while Ashok Vihar registered 433.
Several other locations across the capital also witnessed the worst pollution levels. Areas such as Jahangirpuri (451), Chandini Chowk (432), Nehru Nagar (402), and Patparganj (412) saw further deterioration in air quality, with readings entering the 'severe' category, according to CPCB data.
IMD issues dense fog warning
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that visibility in Delhi at 6:30 AM was about 350 meters. The IMD issued a fog advisory, warning of dense to very dense fog across Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Northeast, East, and North India.
Very dense fog is expected to persist during the night and morning hours in Haryana, Chandigarh, West Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab until December 31; in East Uttar Pradesh until January 1; and in Odisha from December 31 to January 2, 2026.
Several other locations across the capital also witnessed the worst pollution levels. Areas such as Jahangirpuri (451), Chandini Chowk (432), Nehru Nagar (402), and Patparganj (412) saw further deterioration in air quality, with readings entering the 'severe' category, according to CPCB data.
The Regional Meteorological Department's nowcast issued an orange alert for south, central, and northeast Delhi, while west, northwest, and north Delhi received a yellow alert for moderate to dense morning fog. Early morning temperatures were recorded at 10°C.
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