A lethal combination of dense fog and stagnant air pollution paralyzed the national capital on Friday, December 19, 2025, with conditions expected to worsen over the weekend. The city’s aviation sector faced its worst disruption of the season as a “red alert” fog blanketed the runway at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, while the Air Quality Index (AQI) finally entered the “Severe” category.
Aviation Bedlam: 177 Flights Cancelled
Visibility plunged to zero meters at Safdarjung and 50 meters at Palam in the early hours of Friday, forcing the airport to operate under stringent CAT III (low visibility) protocols.
- Cancellations: At least 177 flights (88 departures and 89 arrivals) were scrapped entirely.
- Delays: Over 700 flights faced significant delays, with some passengers waiting on the tarmac for over 45 minutes.
- Airlines Affected: Major carriers including IndiGo and Air India Express issued travel advisories, offering full refunds or free rescheduling as schedules remained erratic.
The AQI Breach: “Severe” Reality
Despite a massive vehicular enforcement drive that saw thousands of challans issued on Thursday, Delhi’s air quality remained defiant.
- The Number: The 24-hour average AQI stood at 374 (Very Poor) on Friday evening, but by Saturday morning, it breached the 400 barrier, entering the “Severe” zone.
- Hotspots: Vivek Vihar (434) and Anand Vihar (430) recorded the most hazardous levels.
- The Temperature Trap: With the minimum temperature dropping to 7°–9°C, an “inversion effect” is now trapping smoke and dust near the ground, preventing them from dispersing.
Weekend Forecast: No Relief in Sight
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has cautioned that the worst may be yet to come.
| Day | Alert Level | Weather Condition | Expected Temperature |
| Saturday, Dec 20 | Orange Alert | Dense to Very Dense Fog (Morning); Severe Smog | 7°C (Low) / 22°C (High) |
| Sunday, Dec 21 | Yellow Alert | Moderate to Dense Fog; AQI likely to stay 400+ | 8°C (Low) / 23°C (High) |
| Monday, Dec 22 | Normal | Shallow Fog; Partly Cloudy | 9°C (Low) / 23°C (High) |
The “Total Failure” of Reactive Measures
The ongoing crisis has underscored the Supreme Court’s recent scathing assessment of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). On Wednesday, the court criticized authorities for a “total failure” in their reactive measures, such as the temporary ban on older vehicles.
Data shows that even with strict restrictions, vehicular pollution still contributed nearly 16% to Friday’s smog. Without any rainfall recorded this December, the capital remains at the mercy of the wind.