Air pollution in Delhi causes 32 flights to divert

With a thick smog engulfing the Delhi airport and areas around it, as many as 32 flights were on Sunday diverted to nearby cities.

Two wheeler riders wearing a handkerchief to cover their faces ride along a road under heavy smog.

Most of the flights were domestic and could not land due to minimum visibility falling around the airport premises.

A Delhi Traffic police officer wears a pollution mask and clears the irritants in his eyes in New Delhi.

"Till a while back, about 32 flights were diverted due to bad weather. Pollution and other weather conditions have caused low visibility at the airport," said an official working at the Delhi airport.

Millions of people in India's capital started the week choking through "eye-burning" smog.

Diversion of flights have inconvenienced thousands of passengers throwing their travel plans out of the gear.

A volunteer from civil defence monitors vehicles on a street.

"The weather is expected to get better. The situation has improved a bit already," said the official.

Indian police personnel wearing face masks stand guard amidts heavy smog conditions.

The Delhi airport operator on its Twitter handle said, "Update issued at 1130 hours: Due to low visibility, flight operations at Delhi Airport are affected. All CAT-II compliant pilots are able to operate.

Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information. Any inconvenience caused is regretted."

Indo-Asian News Service