Red Alert in North India Dense Fog UP Punjab Haryana Delhi AQI Severe
North India is facing a severe weather and pollution crisis as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues a red alert warning for dense fog across multiple states. At the same time, air quality in Delhi and surrounding regions has deteriorated to ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ levels, posing serious health risks to residents.
According to the IMD, very dense fog is expected in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, with temperatures in UP dropping to extremely low levels. Dense to extremely dense fog is also forecast in Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Bihar on December 19 and 20, while Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are likely to experience heavy fog during early morning hours. The weather agency has cautioned that these conditions may persist for the next two to three days, causing visibility issues, road hazards, and travel delays.
Flight Disruptions and Airport Advisory
The dense fog has already impacted aviation. At Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, flight operations are running under CAT III Instrument Landing System conditions, designed for low visibility landings. Despite this, 79 departures, including two international flights, and 73 arrivals, including two international services, were cancelled. Passengers are advised to confirm their flight status with airlines before traveling.
IndiGo Airlines issued a travel advisory, noting that early-morning fog across Delhi and northern India has disrupted flight schedules. The airline emphasized that operational adjustments are being made to ensure passenger safety and minimize inconvenience.
Delhi Air Quality Worsens
Air pollution remains a major concern, with Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 387 in the morning, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category, while specific areas like Ghazipur (442), ITO (409), and Palam (447) fell under the ‘severe’ category. The Commission for Air Quality Management has activated GRAP Stage IV measures across Delhi-NCR to counter rising pollution levels.
Residents, particularly children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions, have been urged to limit outdoor exposure and use protective measures like masks and air purifiers.
Pollution Sources and Regional Impact
Data from the Decision Support System for Air Quality Management indicates transport as the largest contributor to Delhi’s pollution at 18.3%, followed by industries (9.2%), residential sources (4.5%), construction (2.5%), waste burning (1.6%), road dust (1.3%), and power generation (1.2%). Additionally, pollution from neighboring NCR districts has added to Delhi’s air quality problems, with Jhajjar contributing 12.3%, Sonipat 8.8%, Rohtak 4.8%, Jind 3.1%, Bhiwani 1.4%, and Gurugram 1.1%.
Safety Measures and Public Advisory
The IMD has urged citizens to exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel during foggy conditions, and stay updated with local advisories. Motorists are advised to drive carefully due to reduced visibility, while commuters should plan for delays in public transport and flights.
With dense fog and severe air pollution combining to create a challenging environment, authorities continue to monitor conditions closely. Residents are encouraged to take preventive measures seriously to protect their health and ensure safety during travel.
