Taj Mahal Disappears As Dense Fog Engulfs North India; Flights, Train Services Hit

The Taj Mahal vanished behind a thick veil of fog on Sunday morning as dense mist enveloped the Northeast India, including Agra, sharply reducing visibility across the city. Situation has been worse in Delhi-NCR

which saw a dip in temperature on Sunday accompanied with a thick layer of toxic smog this morning.Visuals from the Taj View Point ADA, shared by news agency ANI, showed the iconic monument barely visible.

Similar foggy conditions were witnessed in multiple cities including Ayodhya, Moradabad, and the National Capital Region.In Ayodhya, a dense layer of fog covered the city during the early morning hours. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature in Ayodhya was recorded at 8 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature is likely to hover around 16 degrees Celsius.Moradabad also woke up to foggy conditions. The IMD reported that the minimum temperature in Moradabad stood at 10 degrees Celsius, with the maximum expected to reach around 19 degrees Celsius.

Dense Smog Covers Delhi-NCR

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 390 around 7 am, placing it in the 'very poor' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). However, several areas witnessed air quality deteriorating further to 'severe' levels.Multiple parts of Delhi experienced a dense haze, with pollution levels remaining alarmingly high. The trains and flight services have been severly affected in the region.

In the Akshardham area, the AQI stood at 438, categorised as 'severe'. Similar conditions were reported from the Ghazipur area, where AQI levels were also recorded at 438, as per CPCB data. In Central Delhi, the India Gate and Kartavya Path were covered under a thick layer of smog . The AQI in this area was recorded at 381, falling in the 'very poor' category. In east Delhi's Anand Vihar locality, pollution levels touched 'severe', with the AQI again at 438, making it one of the most polluted pockets of the capital on Sunday morning. The ITO area also remained under a blanket of smog, with the AQI recorded at 405, categorised as 'severe'. Moreover, around the Barapullah flyover, the AQI was recorded at 382, categorised as 'very poor', and similar conditions prevailed in the Dhaula Kuan area, where the AQI stood at 397, also falling under the 'very poor' category.In response to the deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked all measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-IV across Delhi-NCR. According to AQI categorisation, 0-50 is 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'. (ANI)