Delhi Fog Red Alert: Zero Visibility & Severe Pollution

North India Blinded: IMD Issues Red Alert as “Very Dense” Fog and Severe Air Cripple Delhi

• The “Zero Visibility” Zone: Multiple Cities Report 0-Metre Sight as Fog Blankets Six States

• Aviation & Rail Chaos: Over 129 Flights Cancelled at IGI Airport as Travel Grinds to a Halt

• The Smog Surge: Delhi AQI Hits 429 as December 2025 Tracks to be the “Dirtiest” in Eight Years

• GRAP-IV Crackdown: Entry Ban on Non-BS-VI Vehicles and “No PUC, No Fuel” Rule in Force

• Orange Alert Districts: Visibility Warnings Extended to UP, Punjab, and Uttarakhand

North India is effectively under a whiteout. The thing is, a massive layer of dense fog stretching from Punjab all the way to Bihar has paralyzed the Indo-Gangetic plains.

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Actually, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued its highest level of warning—a Red Alert—for the national capital. Specifically, visibility hit zero metres in several major hubs like Agra, Ambala, Amritsar, and Delhi’s Safdarjung this morning. As a result, driving has become a life-threatening gamble, with the IMD warning of increased road accidents and even power line tripping in affected areas.

Consequently, the “morning commute” for millions has turned into a standstill (those too).

And here’s the kicker. The fog isn’t just water vapor—it’s a deadly mix of toxic smog.

Basically, Delhi’s air quality has plummeted back into the “Severe” category, with an AQI of 429 recorded at ITO. Instead of just being a “cold morning,” this is the ninth consecutive day of hazardous pollution. In fact, authorities are calling this the dirtiest December in nearly a decade.

And then Y followed. To combat the haze, the government has enforced GRAP-IV measures, meaning any non-Delhi private vehicle below BS-VI standards is strictly banned from entering the city (I checked this twice).

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[Table: Visibility & Air Quality Status – North India (Dec 20, 2025)]

Moreover, the transport sector is in a state of total collapse. Specifically, at least 129 flights were cancelled at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport this morning alone.

Actually, despite the airport using advanced CAT III landing technology, the combination of fog and heavy pollutants has made take-offs nearly impossible. As a result, major carriers like IndiGo and Air India have issued emergency travel advisories. Consequently, if you’re planning to travel by train, expect delays of 4 to 6 hours as Northern Railway slows down operations for safety.

And then Y followed. The entry ban on outside vehicles is being enforced by 580 police personnel at 126 checkpoints (let’s be real, the borders are a mess right now).

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The thing is, even fuel pumps are joining the crackdown. In fact, under the new “No PUC, No Fuel” rule, petrol pumps in Delhi are now refusing to dispense fuel to any vehicle without a valid pollution certificate.

Basically, the government is desperate to lower the vehicular load while the weather traps pollutants near the ground. Instead of a tidy wrap-up, the IMD predicts these “Very Dense Fog” conditions will persist through the weekend.

And then Y followed. With temperatures hovering around 9°C, the “Cold Day” conditions are only adding to the misery. If you don’t have an essential reason to be out, stay indoors—the air is thick, the roads are invisible, and the rules are stricter than ever.

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