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Lionel Messi is set to be in Delhi for the final part of his G.O.A.T. India tour on Monday (December 15). The star footballer, along with two stalwarts Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, are expected to attend a gala event at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Although fans are waiting with bated breath to witness football royalty, they will have to wait further to get a glimpse.
Lionel Messi, who was supposed to reach Delhi by 11:30 AM, has seen his flight delayed for the capital. As per reports, the high fog and smog across the northern city has halted his journey. Currently, the Argentina legend remains in Mumbai but is expected to commence his journey.
Why is Fog affecting Delhi?
Delhi's winter fog, often smog-laden, stems from temperature inversions trapping pollutants like vehicle
emissions, stubble burning, and industrial dust. This creates dense haze from November to February, slashing visibility to under 50 meters and spiking respiratory illnesses. Along with the visibility issues, it is extremely hazardous for human health.
Delhi AQI becomes Hazardous
The AQI of Delhi hovered at hazardous levels around 691 on Monday morning, with PM2.5 at 349µg/m³ - worse than smoking dozens of cigarettes daily. Currently, the AQI remains 291, still hovering around the hazardous boundaries.
Lionel Messi and the other players, who generally breathe in much purer air, may endure breathing issues. Also, the particles can cause a burning sensation in their eyes and skin, which has now become a normalcy for the citizens of the capital.
Lionel Messi India Tour - The Citywise AQIs
In Kolkata, the highest AQI on Saturday was 318, while in Mumbai on Sunday, the worst Air Quality Index rose to 154. In Hyderabad though, it was around 171 on Saturday night. But New Delhi has hit a new low in terms of the quality, as it rose to an equivalent of smoking 40 cigarettes a day.
Incidentally, Messi's city Rosario, in Argentina, has an AQI of 53, while Miami, where he currently plays, has an AQI of 30.
It is to be seen when Messi reaches Delhi, as the entire city is waiting to welcome them. Despite the earlier chaos in Kolkata, the tour has been mostly a successful one. The event in Hyderabad was excellent, while Mumbai witnessed historic moments on Sunday as two India legends, Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Chhetri, shared their special moment with the Argentine superstar.
