Delhi: 18 flights diverted due to smog, bad weather
What's the story
A total of 18 flights were diverted due to smog and bad weather on Saturday morning at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi. According to reports, airport officials revealed that the flights were diverted to Lucknow, Jaipur, Amritsar, and Ahmedabad. Earlier in the day, the Delhi airport took to X (formerly Twitter) and announced that low visibility procedures were in progress.
Twitter Post
Check out Delhi airport's post here
Update issued at 0808 Hours
— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) December 2, 2023
Kind attention to all flyers!#Fog #FogAlert #DelhiAirport pic.twitter.com/gES7foK5qh
Details
Delhi's AQI 'very poor' today
The air quality in Delhi was recorded in the "very poor" category on Saturday morning, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) said that the national capital's overall air quality index (AQI) stood at 356 at 9:00am. The air quality in Delhi's Ashok Vihar and Anand Vihar was recorded as "very poor," with their AQIs at 379 and 382.
Twitter Post
Visuals of smoggy Saturday morning in Delhi
#WATCH | The Air Quality Index (AQI) is in the 'Very Poor' category in Delhi as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2023
(Visuals from Barapullah, shot at 7:25 am) pic.twitter.com/NFtVJ5Vkn6
More details
Delhi relaxed GRAP III earlier this week
Earlier this week, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced the lifting of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) III in the capital amid a decline in pollution levels. However, restrictions under Stages I and II will remain in force, he added. It will be monitored on a regular basis by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) sub-committee to prevent further decline in air quality in the NCR and surrounding areas.
Know more
All you need to know about GRAP
The GRAP is a series of emergency measures that take effect once air quality in the Delhi-NCR region hits a certain threshold. GRAP categorizes actions into four separate stages. While Stage I becomes operational with a "poor" AQI between 201-300, Stage II comes into effect with "very poor" air quality between 301-400. Stage III kicks in with a "severe" category AQI of 401-450, and Stage IV is considered "severe plus" with an AQI over 450.