Winter's Grip Tightens
The Delhi-NCR region faced a severe cold wave and dense fog, which significantly impacted daily life. The challenging weather conditions have been relentless,
with the fog reducing visibility and the cold making it difficult for people to go about their routine activities. These adverse weather patterns have also influenced the traffic and transportation networks. The combination of fog and cold contributed to an overall sense of disruption and inconvenience for the residents of Delhi-NCR. This situation highlighted the vulnerability of the region to extreme winter weather and the need for preparedness and adaptation to mitigate its impacts. The weather conditions led to flight delays and diversions, impacting travel plans for many people.
Flights Grounded, Delayed
The dense fog severely impacted flight operations at the Delhi airport, causing significant delays and diversions. Visibility was drastically reduced, making it unsafe for planes to take off and land without proper visibility, therefore, the airport authorities had to adjust the flight schedules. Many flights were either delayed or diverted to other airports. Passengers experienced major disruptions to their travel plans, resulting in long waits at the airport and frustration with the travel conditions. These issues demonstrated the challenges that adverse weather poses to the aviation sector and the importance of having contingency plans. The delays affected travelers from various places, impacting both domestic and international connections and highlighted how sensitive air travel is to weather conditions.
Air Quality Deteriorates
Deteriorating air quality added another layer of concern to the prevailing weather conditions. The Air Quality Index (AQI) reached severe levels in many parts of Delhi-NCR, putting the health of citizens at risk. The pollutants in the air intensified, due to the combination of stagnant air and pollutants trapped in the fog. The increase in air pollution further compounded the problems created by the cold wave and fog. People, particularly those with respiratory issues, found it difficult to breathe. The authorities were actively monitoring the air quality and were implementing measures to control the sources of pollution and ensure the air quality becomes better for everyone in the region.
GRAP-IV Restrictions Enforced
Due to the concerning air quality, authorities enforced GRAP-IV restrictions across the Delhi-NCR area. GRAP stands for Graded Response Action Plan, and the fourth stage is the most restrictive. These measures included a range of actions, from limiting the operation of polluting industries to restricting the movement of certain vehicles. The government aimed to lower pollution levels and protect public health. The regulations caused changes in daily activities and emphasized the commitment of the government to improve air quality during the winter season. These rules are put in place to help alleviate the health hazards caused by the extreme air pollution levels.
