India, Dec. 19 -- New Delhi

The Capital continued to be blanketed in fog on Thursday due to dipping air quality, which plummeted from the lower-end of "very poor" to around 373 by the afternoon, forcing the cancellation of at least 27 flights and delaying the operation of 500 more, hindering operations for a fourth consecutive day, officials aware of the matter said.

Delhi had recorded an AQI of 334 the day before. By 9pm on Thursday, the AQI reached 397, moving closer to the "severe" category by the hour. With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a yellow fog alert for Friday, the situation may worsen, experts said.

With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a yellow fog alert for Friday, the operations may co...