Dense fog in Delhi, 14 flights diverted to Jaipur and Dehradun

New Delhi: Amid the imposition of "Low Visibility Procedure" at Indira Gandhi International Airport, 14 flights scheduled to Delhi have been diverted to Jaipur and Dehradun so far. Flight operations in the national capital were affected due to low visibility caused by bad weather on Monday, November 18.

The Delhi airport issued an advisory for passengers in the morning and informed that flight operations may be affected and 'low visibility procedures' are still in place at the airport. The advisory has requested passengers to contact their respective airlines for 'updated information' about their flights.

The advisory reads, "Low visibility procedures are still in place at Delhi Airport and flight operations at Delhi Airport may be affected. Passengers are requested to contact the concerned airline for updated flight information. We deeply regret any inconvenience."

Delhi gasps for breath as AQI remains very severe

The air quality index (AQI) level in the national capital has reached 'very severe' level. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital was recorded at 489 at 12 noon. According to CPCB data, the AQI was recorded at 500 in Dwarka Sector 8, 497 in Ashok Vihar, 495 in Mundka, 495 in Patparganj, 495 in Anand Vihar, 491 in Sonia Vihar, 483 in RK Puram, 466 in Chandni Chowk and 447 in ITO.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented the Graded Response Action Plan GRAP-4 in Delhi NCR from today after the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached the 'very severe' category. The decision was taken after Delhi's daily average AQI suddenly reached 441 at 4 pm last Sunday and reached 457 by 7 pm, after which an emergency meeting of the GRAP sub-committee was called.

The GRAP-4 response includes an 8-point action plan formulated to mitigate the pollution crisis. The key measures include a ban on the entry of trucks into Delhi, except those carrying essential goods or providing essential services. The sub-committee has also extended the ban on construction and demolition activities to include public infrastructure projects such as highways, roads, flyovers and power transmission lines.