Severe smog and dense fog have brought travel to a standstill in Delhi, with visibility in some areas dropping to zero on Friday morning. Over 150 flights were delayed, and dozens of trains are running behind schedule, as road, rail, and air transport grapple with hazardous conditions caused by the weather and pollution. The disruptions have left passengers frustrated, with many taking to social media to voice complaints about the chaos at Delhi airport.

Delhi’s air quality index has reached alarming levels, exceeding 400 in several areas more than 25 times the World Health Organization's safe limit. Low winter temperatures in northern India often trap pollutants close to the ground, worsening visibility and creating hazardous air conditions. The Delhi government has reimposed anti-pollution measures, including a ban on construction activities and moving school classes online, to combat the crisis.

The Delhi airport has issued warnings about possible disruptions, particularly for flights not equipped with CAT III technology, which enables operations in poor visibility. Passengers reported long delays, with departures held up by more than 30 minutes and arrivals by nearly 20 minutes, according to flight tracking websites.

Indian Railways has also reported significant delays, with 26 trains running late due to fog. Meanwhile, India’s weather department predicts light showers over the weekend, which could improve visibility and provide temporary relief from the smog.

As residents endure these annual challenges, the combination of pollution and winter fog continues to spotlight the urgent need for sustainable solutions to improve air quality in northern India.