New Delhi, Dec 19 || Delhi continued to reel under severe pollution on Friday, with air quality deteriorating further and dense fog compounding commuting woes, particularly for air travellers.
The national capital’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 387 at 6 a.m., remaining firmly in the ‘very poor’ category and offering no respite from the prolonged pollution spell gripping the city.
The situation marked a clear decline from Thursday morning’s AQI of 356, underscoring a steady worsening of air quality across Delhi. Visuals from several parts of the city, including the ITO area, showed a thick layer of toxic smog blanketing roads and buildings, significantly reducing visibility.
Adding to residents’ difficulties, dense fog disrupted flight operations at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, prompting authorities to implement CAT III operations, a low-visibility protocol that often leads to delays and rescheduling of flights.
In a passenger advisory issued on X, Delhi Airport said: “Due to prevailing dense fog conditions, flight operations are currently being managed under CAT III conditions, which has led to disruptions in flight schedules.