Red Alert Issued in Delhi as Dense Fog Envelops City, Air Quality Slips Back to ‘Severe’

Delhi remained under a red alert for dense fog on Monday as visibility dropped sharply across the national capital, severely disrupting air, rail and road traffic. At the same time, the city’s air quality deteriorated to the ‘severe’ category, compounding health concerns for residents amid peak winter conditions.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), dense to very dense fog was recorded in several parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) during the early morning hours, with visibility falling to as low as 50 metres at some locations. The weather agency warned that foggy conditions are likely to persist over the next few days due to calm winds and high moisture levels.
The poor visibility led to major disruptions at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, where several flights were delayed, diverted or cancelled. Airlines issued advisories urging passengers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport. Rail services were also affected, with multiple long-distance trains running behind schedule as fog reduced visibility on tracks. Road traffic slowed across the city, with authorities advising motorists to drive cautiously and use fog lights.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) slipped back into the ‘severe’ category, crossing the 400 mark at several monitoring stations, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Areas such as Anand Vihar, Vivek Vihar and parts of east and north Delhi recorded particularly high pollution levels.
Health experts warned that ‘severe’ air quality poses risks even to healthy individuals, while children, the elderly and those with respiratory or cardiac ailments are especially vulnerable. Residents were advised to limit outdoor activities, wear protective masks if necessary, and follow health advisories issued by authorities.
The return of severe pollution has raised concerns over the effectiveness of anti-pollution measures during winter, a season when low temperatures and stagnant air often trap pollutants close to the ground. Officials said the situation is being closely monitored and urged citizens to cooperate by avoiding unnecessary travel and reducing pollution-causing activities.
With winter tightening its grip, authorities expect fog and poor air quality to remain a challenge in the coming days, calling for heightened caution and preparedness across the city.