Dense Smog Returns To Delhi, Air Quality Turns 'Severe', Flight, Train Ops Hit

The national capital, Delhi, once again woke up to a thick layer of smog blanketing the city with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 402, falling under the 'severe' category at 7 am. Over 120 flights have been cancelled so far, and more than 100 trains are running late due to smog-led reduced visibility in the city.

More than half of the monitoring stations in Delhi (25 out of 40) reported AQI in the 'severe' category at 7 am. Vivek Vihar recorded an AQI of 458, with particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) as the major pollutant, followed by Wazirpur, reporting an AQI of 443 AQI. It is important to note that no data is available for two of the stations - Lodhi Road and RK Puram.

Visuals from the area around the Kartavya Path showed people driving in the dark with only headlights bringing in some light.

#WATCH | Delhi: Visibility in the national capital is affected as a layer of toxic smog engulfs the city. CPCB claims that the AQI in the area is at '401', categorised as 'Severe'.

Visuals from the area around the Kartavya Path) pic.twitter.com/TZqMAQLZoa

— ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2025

People in Dwarka, where AQI was recorded at 400, were also seen driving amid reduced visibility.

The India Meteorological Department issued a 'red' warning for 'very dense fog' in most parts of Delhi between 5:31 am and 8:31 am. The weather department advised people to drive carefully, use fog lights, avoid outings unless there is an emergency, and cover the face.

pic.twitter.com/rEWC2rCo5W

— RWFC New Delhi (@RWFC_ND) December 29, 2025

Flight Ops Hit

At Delhi airport, the visibility is down to 125 meters. Sharing a passenger advisory on X (formerly Twitter), the Delhi Airport informed that "flight operations are currently being conducted under CAT III conditions due to dense fog, which may result in delays or cancellations."

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It also advised passengers to check with respective airlines on flight status.

Passenger Advisory issued at 07:00 hours.

Please click on this link for real-time winter travel updates: https://t.co/KkKldKUlLQ#DelhiAirport#PassengerAdvisory#DELAdvisorypic.twitter.com/sotBvS1Ih8

— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) December 29, 2025

The last update from SpiceJet came at midnight, informing passengers of delays in flights from Kolkata.

"Due to bad weather (poor visibility) in Kolkata (CCU), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may be affected. Passengers are requested to keep a check on their flight status," the airlines said in a statement.

#WeatherUpdate: Due to bad weather (poor visibility) in Kolkata (CCU), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may be affected. Passengers are requested to keep a check on their flight status via https://t.co/2wynECZugy.

— SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) December 28, 2025

Flight operations have also been hit due to dense fog in Jammu, IndiGo informed. "Dense fog in Jammu continues to affect visibility, impacting flights operating to and from Jammu. As conditions evolve, some services may experience delays, and a few may need to be cancelled depending on clearance and operational feasibility."

Travel Advisory

Dense fog in #Jammu continues to affect visibility, impacting flights operating to and from #Jammu. As conditions evolve, some services may experience delays, and a few may need to be cancelled depending on clearance and operational feasibility.

To stay…

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) December 28, 2025

According to the updated numbers at 10:30 am, 128 flights—64 arrivals and departures each—have been cancelled today. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has shared airline customer support numbers:

IndiGo: 0124 497 3838
Air India: 011 6932 9333
SpiceJet: +91 (0)124 498 3410 / +91 (0)124 710 1600
Air India Express: +91 124 443 5600 / +91 124 693 5600
Akasa Air: 9606 112 131
Alliance Air: 044 3511 3511

Taj Mahal Disappears Behind Smog

The iconic Taj Mahal has disappeared behind a thick layer of smog. A video from the Taj View Point ADA highlights the poor visibility in the region. Similar visuals came from the Eastern Freeway in Mumbai and Nagaon in Assam.