This morning, January 10th, the capital of the country, Delhi, was completely enveloped in fog. The fog is so thick, everything is lost within it. Visibility has dropped to zero meters. People stepping out of their homes are facing difficulties. The speed of vehicles has slowed to a crawl, making it challenging to drive above 20 km/h. Drivers are relying on emergency lights, and even trees standing alongside the road are out of sight. Delhi is under the grip of dense to very dense fog, prompting the IMD to issue an orange alert.
This fog is not just limited to Delhi but extends across large parts of North India, affecting places like Gautam Buddh Nagar, where towering buildings in residential areas have vanished from sight. Here, visibility is less than 50 meters, obscuring the upper portions of the structures.
Flight Delays, Train Speed Halted
There is a likelihood of delays in flights arriving and departing from Delhi Airport. Since 4 AM this morning, visibility at IGI Airport has been zero, impacting flight operations. IGI Airport has issued an advisory, urging passengers to check with their airlines before heading to the airport. The fog has also slowed down train operations.
Source: aajtak
Fog Orange Alert
Source: aajtak
The meteorological department has issued an orange alert for dense fog today. The minimum temperature is expected to be around 6 degrees Celsius, while the maximum might reach 20 degrees. Additionally, there is a rain alert for Delhi on Saturday and Sunday.
How is Light and Dense Fog Determined?
According to the meteorological department, very dense fog occurs when visibility ranges from zero to 50 meters. Visibility between 51 to 200 meters is considered dense fog, 201 to 500 meters as moderate, and 501 to 1,000 meters as light fog. Reports indicate that on Friday, dense and very dense fog blanketed various parts of Delhi and the northern plains of India.
A Blanket of Smog with Fog
Apart from fog, Delhi is also cloaked in a layer of smog. Pollution levels have reached the severe category. The latest update at 6 AM recorded an average air quality index of 409.
Check Your City's Air Quality Here
Greater Noida - 279
Ghaziabad - 343
Noida - 285
Gurugram - 266
Faridabad - 266
What is the Pollution Scale?
Pollution is measured using the Air Quality Index (AQI). An AQI between 0 to 50 is considered 'Good', 51 to 100 as 'Satisfactory', 101 to 200 as 'Moderate', 201 to 300 as 'Poor', 301 to 400 as 'Very Poor', and 401 to 500 is regarded as 'Severe'.
