Dense smog disrupts New Year's Eve travel plans in New Delhi

Thick smog shrouded New Delhi on New Year's Eve, forcing flight and train delays as air quality reached "severe" levels with AQI readings above 448.

ANI/Reuters

31 December 2025 at 08:03:14

Severe smog engulfs New Delhi on New Year’s Eve, halting flights and trains as air quality hits hazardous levels.

Reuters

Thick smog blanketed New Delhi on Wednesday, December 31, delaying flights and trains as the Indian capital struggled with poor air quality on New Year’s Eve.

The city’s air quality reached "severe" levels, with official 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI) readings exceeding 448 out of 500 at several monitoring stations, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

A statement from the airport reported that 78 arrivals and 70 departures were canceled, with two flights diverted to other airports.

Earlier, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had warned that "very dense fog" was likely to persist in parts of northern India due to light winds and high moisture levels.

-Production: Feline Lim/Reuters