Delhi Enveloped in Dense Fog, Air Quality Dips to Moderate-Poor Levels
Residents of the national capital woke up to a thick blanket of fog on Monday morning, with visibility significantly reduced across several areas. According to the latest data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the moderate to poor categories, indicating deteriorating air conditions.
Fog Conditions and Impact on Air Travel
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported moderate fog in multiple parts of Delhi, affecting prominent locations including Dhaula Kuan, Akshardham, Dwarka, and Mother Teresa Crescent Marg. The dense fog had a direct impact on aviation operations, with flight activities at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport being shifted to CAT III conditions. This special operational mode allows aircraft to land during very low visibility scenarios, but it often results in delays for both arrivals and departures, potentially disrupting travel schedules for numerous passengers.
Air Quality Readings Across Delhi
Around 7 am, several monitoring stations across the city recorded AQI levels that ranged from moderate to poor. Specific readings highlighted the varying air quality:
- Sectors 3, 6, and 10 in Dwarka reported an AQI of 243, placing them in the 'poor' category.
- Mahipalpur recorded a reading of 134, which falls under the 'moderate' category.
- Mother Teresa Crescent Marg also remained in the 'moderate' range with an AQI of 118.
In contrast, Mumbai reported a 'moderate' AQI at dawn, with readings around 126 in the Marine Drive area. The IMD forecast for Delhi predicted "fog/mist in the morning and mainly clear sky later", while in Mumbai, people were observed taking morning walks along Marine Drive despite the foggy conditions.
AQI Classification and Broader Weather Patterns
As per the standard AQI classification:
- 0-50: Good
- 51-100: Satisfactory
- 101-200: Moderate
- 201-300: Poor
- 301-400: Very Poor
- 401-500: Severe
Several airports across north and central India also reported varying fog conditions, ranging from very dense to shallow fog between 6:00 am and 6:30 am IST, according to IMD updates.
Previous Day's Weather and Forecast
On Sunday, Delhi's air quality had remained in the 'very poor' category during the morning hours, with the overall AQI recorded at 318 around 8 am, as per CPCB data. The IMD had issued a yellow alert for the national capital, warning that isolated areas might experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph. Similar weather conditions were anticipated across neighbouring regions such as Haryana and Chandigarh, where Karnal experienced a hailstorm early in the day.
The IMD indicated that the rainfall marked the commencement of an active weather phase, with thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds, and hail likely to affect several states throughout the day. Light rain was reported in parts of Delhi and adjoining NCR areas during the early morning hours, adding to the overall damp and foggy conditions.
