If you’re in North India, then chances are that you woke up to a foggy and chilly morning today. While there has been a drop in temperatures, there has also been a rise in the pollution levels in the region. This has caused dense smog to blanket several areas in North India and obscured the view of famous monuments like the Taj Mahal and Golden Temple. People took to social media to share how the monuments almost ‘disappeared’ due to the smog.
Taj Mahal & Golden Temple ‘Disappears’ Due To Dense Smog
Due to the rising pollution levels in Agra, a thick smog took over the city this morning. The dense smog concealed the famous Taj Mahal and made it difficult for tourists to get glimpses of the UNESCO world heritage from a distance. X (formerly Twitter) user @Komal_Indian shared a picture of the Taj Mahal from the gardens in front of it. However, due to the thick smog, it was hard to see the monument even from such a small distance.
In Amritsar, people visiting the Golden Temple found it hard to catch a glimpse of the majestic Gurudwara from a distance. The Golden Temple was blanketed in thick smog as the air quality in the region continued to deteriorate. These concerning visuals have been shared by many tourists in these areas today.
The Central Pollution of Control Board (CPCB) reported that the air quality index (AQI) in Agra stood at 149 in the ‘moderate’ category on Thursday. As for Amritsar, with an AQI of 321, the air quality in the city was ‘very poor.’
Also Read: Delhi: In A Bid To Curb Pollution, NDMC Doubles Car Parking Fee; Motorists To Pay ₹40 Per Hour
Flight Delays At Delhi Airport Due To Low Visibility
In Delhi, smog and high pollution levels continue to worry authorities. According to Reuters, the Delhi Airport reported delays in 88% of departures and 54% of arrivals due to low visibility and smog. As per Flightradar24, around 400 flights, 257 departures and 139 arrivals, experienced delays due to the smog in the city. With an average AQI of 424, the air quality in the city was ‘severe,’ as per the Central Pollution Control Board.
While flight operations at the Delhi Airport are normal for now, the airport authorities have advised people to keep an eye on their flight information.
Cover Image Courtesy: X/@Komal_Indian & X/@bysurbhigupta
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