Cold Wave and Smog Grip Delhi-NCR, Several Flights Delayed

Severe cold wave and dense smog grip the National Capital Region. Several flights and trains delayed or rescheduled.

Major pollutants PM 2.5 and PM 10 at severe levels in several parts of DelhI-NCR. 

(Photo: PTI)

Video Editor: Vivek Gupta

Severe cold wave and dense smog has gripped the National Capital Region. Citizens woke up to the coldest day of the season on 25 December. Mercury levels dipped to 19.5 degree Celsius, two degrees below the season’s average. The day's minimum temperature was recorded at 5 degree Celsius, three notches below the average.

The temperature is expected to dip further in the next couple of days, a MeT department official said. The MeT forecast a chilly weekend ahead as the temperature is likely to fall to 3 degree Celsius around New Year.

A man dressed as Santa Claus cycles down a smoggy Delhi road.(Photo: PTI)

Pollution Levels in Delhi ‘Severe’

A thick blanket of smog remains spread over the national capital region, with visibility decreasing to a 50-metre range. Major pollutants PM 2.5 and PM 10 at ‘severe’ levels in several parts of DelhI-NCR.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality index value in Delhi-NCR was at 408 with the major air pollutants PM 2.5 and PM 10 remaining at 266 and 405 respectively on an average. The low wind speed and a drop in mercury prevented the dispersal of particulate matters.

Severe cold in Delhi in December is not unusual. But the smog and pollution are reasons to worry. There is no solution to Delhi’s pollution untilold cars are banished from the capital.  

Satwinder Singh, Resident, Delhi

Several parts of the national capital faced severe air quality such as Anand Vihar where the PM 2.5 and PM 10 were 424 and 360 respectively and Siri Fort where PM 2.5 and PM 10 were 436 and 424 respectively.

Several parts of the national capital faced severe air quality(Photo: PTI)

Flights and Trains Delayed, Diverted or Rescheduled

Flight and train operations were suspended in Delhi due to the poor visibility. As many as 80 flights to and from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) airport were either delayed, diverted or rescheduled. All departures at the IGI airport were suspended for over an hour.

At Terminal 3 of the IGI Airport PM 2.5 was recorded at 434, way beyond the safe standard.

Flight operations suspended at Delhi airport due to low visibility(Photo: PTI)

According to Northern Railways, at least four trains departing from New Delhi were cancelled while 12 trains were delayed. The cancelled trains included Mahabodhi Express, Gomti Express, Hari Har Express and Anand Vihar Sealdah Express.

Earlier, Northern Railways had announced the cancellation of 48 trains between December 2018 to February 2019, while reducing the frequency of 20 trains.

12 trains departing from Delhi delayed due to low visibility(Photo: PTI)

Netizens Share Their Ordeal

Residents of Delhi and also those travelling to and from the national capital took to Twitter to share their ordeal.

(With inputs from IANS)