Delhi Pollution: Delhi Chokes on Smog: 228 Flights Cancelled, Schools Shift Online Amidst 'Severe' Air Quality

The Indian capital, Delhi, found itself in the grip of a suffocating blanket of smog, leading to unprecedented disruptions across various sectors, most notably air travel and education. The city's air quality plummeted to "severe" and "hazardous" categories, making breathing a struggle for its residents and severely impacting visibility, while this environmental crisis culminated in the cancellation of a staggering 228 flights and the diversion of five others at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, the nation's busiest aviation hub.

IGI Airport Plunges into Chaos

The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, which typically manages approximately 1,300 flights daily, became a scene of utter pandemonium. The thick, toxic haze drastically reduced visibility, rendering flight operations extremely challenging and unsafe. As a direct consequence, 228 scheduled flights were called off, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and frustrated. Also, five flights had to be rerouted to other destinations, further compounding the travel woes. The airport terminals were overwhelmed with confused and anxious travelers, many of whom. Faced hours of agonizing waits for their luggage and updates on their journeys. The sheer volume of cancellations and diversions created a ripple effect, causing significant delays and logistical nightmares throughout the day.

Airlines Respond to Unforeseen Disruptions

Major airlines operating out of Delhi were quick to issue advisories and manage the fallout. IndiGo, a prominent carrier, acknowledged the severe disruption caused by low visibility in the morning, which subsequently led to the cancellation of several flights throughout the day. The airline emphasized its commitment to maintaining safe and compliant operations, even if it meant significant schedule alterations. Air India, anticipating continued dense fog, particularly for Tuesday morning, announced the cancellation of "some flights. " The airline went a step further by listing approximately 40 affected arrival and departure flights for the day. To mitigate passenger inconvenience, Air India activated its "Fog Care Program. " Under this initiative, passengers booked on affected or potentially affected flights were proactively informed, while they were also offered the flexibility of free rescheduling without any penalty or a full refund, aiming to provide some relief amidst the chaos.

Passenger Ordeal: A Historian's Account

The human cost of these disruptions was vividly captured by. The experience of Sam Dalrymple, son of renowned historian William Dalrymple. Sam found himself stranded at the airport for a grueling 12 hours, while he took to social media to express his profound disappointment and frustration, particularly with Air India. Describing the situation as "an absolute mess," he recounted waking up at 3 AM for a 6 AM flight (AI 2513 to Hyderabad) only for it to be delayed repeatedly, hour by hour, before finally being cancelled. What exacerbated his ordeal was the apparent lack of communication from the airline staff. He highlighted that passengers only learned of the cancellation when someone independently checked the flight status on an app, rather than being informed directly by airline personnel. This incident underscored the communication challenges faced by passengers during such large-scale disruptions.

Delhi's Air Quality Reaches Critical Levels

Beyond the airport, the entire Delhi-NCR region was enveloped in a suffocating layer of smog, pushing the air quality into the "severe" category. On Monday morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to an alarming 498, a level considered extremely hazardous for human health, while while it slightly receded to 427 by evening, the air quality remained dangerously poor, firmly placing the city in the "critical" pollution category. This thick, toxic haze not only made breathing difficult, causing widespread health. Concerns, but also severely impaired visibility across many parts of the capital. The persistent low visibility was the primary culprit behind the. Extensive flight disruptions, illustrating the far-reaching consequences of unchecked air pollution.

Schools Shift to Online Learning

In response to the escalating health crisis posed by the severe air pollution, the Delhi government took decisive action concerning educational institutions, while it mandated that students from Nursery to Class 5 would exclusively attend classes in online mode. This directive effectively removed the previous option that allowed parents to choose between physical and virtual attendance for their young children. The move was a clear acknowledgment of the health risks associated with outdoor exposure during such high pollution. Levels, prioritizing the well-being of the youngest students by keeping them indoors and away from the toxic air. The decision reflects the government's concern over the long-term health implications. Of prolonged exposure to hazardous air quality on developing respiratory systems.