Roads in Delhi-NCR Blanketed by Haze, Visibility Drops to Zero Due to Double Hit of Fog and Smog; City’s Average AQI at 450

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Winter has tightened its grip across North India, with dense fog and weak winds severely impacting daily life in Delhi-NCR and surrounding plains. According to the Meteorological Department, dense to very dense fog is likely to persist over Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and northeastern Madhya Pradesh for the next two days. In many parts of Delhi-NCR, visibility dropped to near zero due to the combined effect of fog and smog, forcing vehicles to crawl on roads.

As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), air quality in several areas of Delhi has reached the ‘severe’ category. AQI levels were recorded at 493 in Akshardham, 474 at Barakhamba Road, 417 at Pandit Pant Marg, and 483 at Sardar Patel Marg. The city’s overall average AQI remained around 450, posing a serious health risk. In view of the worsening air quality, GRAP Stage-4 restrictions are currently in force.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that a western disturbance will affect the western Himalayan region from the night of December 17. This may bring rain and snowfall to higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Following this, cold winds are expected to lower minimum temperatures in the plains by up to 2 degrees Celsius.

IMD has issued a dense fog warning for northwest India from December 15 to 19. Foggy conditions may disrupt road, rail, and air traffic. Experts believe delayed snowfall in the hills reflects climate change patterns, though the upcoming western disturbance may offer temporary relief.