Delhi Air Pollution: Thick layer of toxic smog blankets Delhi-NCR; 228 flights from capital cancelled; AQI worsens to 500 in Wazirpur
Delhi Air Pollution: A thick layer of toxic smog blanketed Delhi-NCR on Tuesday. Air quality in Delhi remains at a 'severe' level. The AQI in several areas of Delhi crossed 400.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), air quality was recorded in the 'severe' category at 27 out of 40 monitoring stations in Delhi. The AQI reached 500 in Wazirpur, which is the maximum limit.
An AQI between 401 and 500 is considered 'severe', and an AQI between 301 and 400 is considered 'very poor'.
Last Saturday, after the air quality in Delhi-NCR deteriorated to the 'severe' category, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4) was implemented in the region.
Due to the dense fog, flight operations were affected at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. On Monday, several airlines canceled 228 flights from Delhi airport and diverted 5 to other airports. 250 flights were delayed.
Messi could not meet PM as flight delayed
Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi, who was in India, could not meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi due to the bad weather. Messi's chartered flight from Mumbai to Delhi was delayed due to the fog. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister departed for his three-nation tour an hour late. Messi's meeting with PM Modi was scheduled for the morning.
Meanwhile, in view of the pollution, the Delhi government has issued orders for classes up to the fifth grade in schools to be conducted only online. Chief Justice Surya Kant advised lawyers and litigants to appear via video conferencing through a hybrid mode. The Supreme Court will hear the petition related to air pollution in Delhi-NCR on December 17.