News Brief
Toxic Smog Engulfs Delhi: Flights Disrupted, Schools Closed Amid 'Severe' AQI Levels
Air pollution in Delhi. (Representative Image)
Delhi's air pollution hit "severe" levels on Wednesday as the air quality index (AQI) touched 422 at 6 am.
The choking smog engulfed the city, affecting visibility at Indira Gandhi International Airport, where 79 flights were delayed, and six were cancelled, as per Flightradar data.
The toxic air has prompted authorities to shut physical classes at schools and prohibit construction work in the city.
Delhi recorded its lowest temperature of the season on Wednesday, with the mercury falling to 12.2 degrees Celsius as cold northwesterly winds swept through the region, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
Meanwhile, toxic foam was spotted floating on the Yamuna River near Kalindi Kunj, indicating ongoing severe water pollution.
The weather department reported that multiple air quality monitoring stations in Delhi-NCR recorded AQI levels exceeding 450 at 6 am.
Stations like Rohini, Wazirpur, Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Narela, Mundka, Alipur, Jahangir Puri, Sonia Vihar and Ashok Vihar continue to show a 24-hour average AQI above 450.
Delhi-NCR has implemented Stage 4 pollution controls under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
Non-essential light commercial vehicles from outside Delhi must also meet these fuel criteria.
Additionally, all public construction projects have been halted.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai appealed to the Centre on Tuesday to approve artificial rain as a solution to tackle the escalating air pollution crisis.
He further urged the Centre to convene a meeting with IIT Kanpur experts and Union government officials to deliberate on the issue.
"Layers of smog have covered North India. Artificial rain is the only solution to get rid of smog. This is a medical emergency," the minister said while addressing the media on Tuesday, India Today reported.
"PM Modi should intervene; it is his moral responsibility to act. The Centre should take steps to control pollution," he added.
