New Delhi, Dec 29 (NationPress) On Monday, the residents of Delhi faced yet another perilous winter morning as a hazardous combination of thick fog and extreme air pollution enveloped the national capital, causing the Air Quality Index (AQI) to soar past 400 and significantly diminishing visibility.

The city was shrouded in dense smog, with an overall AQI of 402 recorded at 7 a.m., firmly placing it in the ‘severe’ category.

Pollution levels exceeded 400 at over half of Delhi’s air quality monitoring stations, signaling perilous conditions across extensive areas of the city.

Among 40 monitoring stations, 25 indicated AQI levels within the ‘severe’ range.

Vivek Vihar reported an AQI of 458, marking it as the most polluted area, trailed by Anand Vihar at 459, Wazirpur at 444, and Rohini at 445. The predominant pollutant remained fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

Data from Lodhi Road and RK Puram stations was missing.

The pollution emergency was exacerbated by thick fog, which drastically hampered visibility throughout Delhi and adjacent areas.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a ‘red alert’ for very dense fog covering most parts of the capital between 5:31 a.m. and 8:31 a.m., urging the public to drive carefully, use fog lights, avoid unnecessary travel, and cover their faces when outside.

Visibility began to sharply decline late Sunday night, remaining poor into Monday morning, causing traffic slowdowns and posing travel risks. Visibility at Delhi airport dropped to approximately 125 meters, with runway visibility fluctuating between 100 and 150 meters.

In a passenger advisory posted on X, Delhi Airport stated, “Flight operations are being carried out under CAT III conditions due to dense fog, which may lead to delays or cancellations.”

Authorities cautioned that interruptions could persist and advised passengers to verify flight statuses with their respective airlines. Ground staff were stationed across terminals to assist travelers.

Multiple airlines also issued advisories. IndiGo noted that fog and cold winter conditions at Delhi and Hindon airports had resulted in variable visibility and slower operations, reaffirming that passenger safety remained paramount. The airline encouraged travelers to keep an eye on flight updates and mentioned rebooking and refund options.

Air India, in a late-night advisory, stated, “The weather forecast for tomorrow morning suggests dense fog with low visibility in parts of northern India, including Delhi, likely impacting flight operations. We have implemented proactive measures to minimize disruptions. However, in case of unexpected delays, diversions, or cancellations, rest assured that our ground teams will provide all necessary assistance.”

Rail services were also disrupted, with numerous trains, including the Rajdhani Express, Vande Bharat, and Jan Shatabdi, running behind schedule.

As air quality remains in the ‘severe’ category, health experts have advised residents to limit outdoor exposure while authorities continue to monitor the evolving situation.