Delhi is under an orange alert due to dense fog that affects flights and highways

India’s weather office has issued an orange signal due to dense fog in Delhi, which has caused aircraft delays and impacted air quality.

Flights at Delhi’s major airport were badly disrupted on Friday due to the heavy fog that covered the city, with visibility in some places reaching zero. An orange signal was issued by India’s weather office, warning of dense to very dense fog in Delhi and the surrounding areas, which could affect roads, trains, and airports.

Airport officials acknowledged that bad visibility was the cause of the delays and warned that aircraft lacking CAT III navigation systems, which are necessary for operations in low visibility, may have to be canceled. India’s biggest airline, IndiGo, posted on social media that “heavy fog throughout the northern belt is affecting flights taking off and landing in Delhi, and some flights may need to be cancelled as the day progresses.”

The severe fog made Delhi’s ongoing air quality problem worse. According to live rankings released by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir on Friday, the city was the second most polluted metropolis in the world.

With a score of 408, the Central Pollution Control Board classified Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) as “severe” at 9:05 a.m. local time. The dangerous conditions locals endure are highlighted by the fact that an AQI of less than 50 is regarded as “good.”

Throughout the winter, when slow weather traps pollution from automobiles, industry, and crop burning in neighboring states, Delhi has been struggling with smog and dangerously low air quality. Authorities advise caution when traveling due to the combined load that severe fog and smog place on public health and transportation.

Systemic solutions are urgently needed to combat air pollution and reduce the disruptions brought on by extreme weather as Delhi struggles with these environmental issues.