(Image source from: Kamadenu.in)

The heavy smog that enveloped the national capital of Delhi on Thursday disrupted several flight operations. According to the flight tracking website Flightradar 24, over 300 flights arriving and departing from the Delhi Airport faced delays, with an average delay of 17 minutes for arrivals and 54 minutes for departures. The severe air quality in Delhi on Thursday morning, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 'severe plus' levels in some areas, reduced visibility and caused the delay of numerous flights.

The air quality index (AQI) reached a severe level of 400, but the Commission for Air Quality Management decided not to enforce the more stringent Stage 3 measures, such as closing primary schools and halting construction. The AQI worsened throughout the day, reaching 436 in the "severe" category by 6 PM and escalating to 454, which is considered "severe plus" by 9 PM. The more severe Stage 4 measures are triggered when the 24-hour average AQI surpasses the "severe plus" threshold, based on the daily bulletin from the Central Pollution Control Board. The current Stage 2 measures, which were implemented on October 22, remain in effect.