A dense haze due to dust engulfed the city on Thursday, grounding all commercial flights during the day as visibility levels dropped considerably putting a large number of people to inconvenience.
"Since morning, we have not operated any flights. No flights reached here from Delhi due to heavy dust haze in Chandigarh's atmosphere," Chandigarh airport director HS Toor said.
He said the visibility levels had hovered between 600-700 metres. "We hope it rains so that the dust settles."
Toor said that the airport here had Instrument Landing System which was CAT-III compatible, but the approaching lights on the ground were not compatible yet and they were expecting to gradually upgrade it so that flights could be made operational even when the visibility levels drop.
Dusty weather prevailed in some parts of Punjab and Haryana also.
A Met official said that the phenomenon could have occurred as a result of dust getting lifted into the atmosphere due to blowing winds when the weather is hot and dry.
Many people here, especially school children, could be seen covering their faces with clothes.
The dusty weather had led to problems among some asthmatic patients and those suffering from other respiratory disorders, an ENT doctor here said.
Many people here, especially school children, could be seen covering their faces with clothes.
The dusty weather had led to problems among some asthmatic patients and those suffering from other respiratory disorders, an ENT doctor here said.