Dense fog disrupts flights in Indian capital Delhi

The city, battling winter smog, ranks second among world's most polluted capitals

A metro train passes through as the sky is enveloped in smog caused by air pollution in Delhi, India, Dec 17, 2024. REUTERS/Priyanshu Singh

Indian capital Delhi was shrouded in thick fog on Friday, reducing visibility to zero in some areas and disrupting flights at the main airport.

India's weather office issued an orange alert for Delhi on Friday, the second highest warning level, predicting dense to very dense fog in many areas which could affect airports, highways and railway routes in the region.

Airport authorities said on social media site X that airline departures were impacted by dense fog and warned that flights lacking the CAT III navigation system that enables landing despite low visibility could face difficulties.

"Dense fog across the northern belt is impacting flights taking off and landing in Delhi, and some flights may need to be cancelled as the day progresses," India's largest airline IndiGo said in a social media post.

Delhi, which has been battling smog and poor air quality since the beginning of winter, ranked second among the world's most polluted capitals in Friday's live rankings by Swiss group IQAir.

The region's air quality was rated "severe", with an index score of 408 at 0905 am local time, the country's pollution control body said. Levels from zero to 50 are considered "good".