Image Source livemint
NEW DELHI – A lethal atmospheric “cocktail” of near-zero visibility and hazardous air pollution has brought North India to a grinding halt today, December 29, 2025. The National Capital Region (NCR) and surrounding states are currently battling a severe winter crisis that has severed major transport links and disrupted high-profile government schedules.
The Aviation and Rail Paralysis
The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi has been transformed into a terminal of frustration. Since the early hours, 128 flights have been cancelled—consisting of 64 departures and 64 arrivals.
- Diverted & Delayed: At least 8 flights were diverted to alternative cities, and nearly 200 flights faced significant delays as visibility plummeted to a mere 50 meters.
- CAT III Operations: While the airport initiated CAT III landing systems, the sheer density of the fog made even advanced technical assistance insufficient for many carriers.
- Railways Hit: The Indian Railways reported that over 100 trains bound for or departing from Delhi are running several hours behind schedule, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at platforms in bone-chilling temperatures. VVIP Movements Postponed
The weather’s reach extended to the highest levels of governance. Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s scheduled two-day visit to Guwahati was abruptly postponed. His flight was unable to take off from Ahmedabad late Sunday night due to the thick blanket of fog. The Home Minister is now expected to arrive in Assam today to proceed with a condensed day-long itinerary, including the inauguration of the Batadrava Than redevelopment project.
The “Fog-AQI” Health Emergency
Meteorologists are calling this a “Fog-AQI Cocktail,” where low temperatures and stagnant winds trap heavy pollutants near the ground, mixing moisture with toxic particulate matter.
- Severe Pollution: Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) breached the 400 mark this morning, entering the “Severe” category. Localities like Anand Vihar (459) and Vivek Vihar (458) recorded even more hazardous levels.
- Orange Alert: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and West Uttar Pradesh.
- Visibility Warning: Officials have warned of “zero visibility” in pockets, leading to several minor pile-ups on the Yamuna Expressway and Western Peripheral Expressway.
Medical Advisory
Health experts have urged residents—particularly children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions—to avoid all outdoor physical activity. Hospitals in the NCR have already reported a 25% spike in patients complaining of breathlessness and severe eye irritation.
