Dense Fog in North India Disrupts Flights, Trains; Delhi Faces Cold Wave

New Delhi: North India continues to reel under dense fog, leading to a drop in visibility and temperatures. This has disrupted daily life, impacting train and flight operations across several cities, including Delhi.

Delhi’s Weather Update: Foggy Days Ahead

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 16°C, which is three degrees below normal, and a minimum temperature of 7.6°C in the past 24 hours. Friday morning saw the temperature at 9.6°C, marking the fifth consecutive cold day in the capital.

Weather Forecast for Delhi

Dense fog to persist until January 8.
Light rain expected on January 6.
Visibility Drops to Zero in Delhi Airports
At 8 AM on Friday, the Palam airport reported zero visibility, while Safdarjung Airport recorded 50-metre visibility. Though neither handles commercial flights, the poor visibility has severely affected operations.

Air Quality Index: Very Poor in Delhi
Delhi’s air quality remains a concern. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 309 at Lodhi Road, falling under the ‘Very Poor’ category.

Flight Delays and Cancellations Across North India

Flight operations were disrupted at multiple airports due to dense fog:

SpiceJet, IndiGo, and Air India flights faced delays or cancellations.
Average delays:
Arrival flights: 6 minutes.
Departure flights: 47 minutes.
SpiceJet reported affected routes to Amritsar and Guwahati, while IndiGo issued advisories for routes including Delhi, Amritsar, Lucknow, Bengaluru, and Guwahati. Travelers are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

Train Delays Due to Fog

At least 24 trains departing from Delhi were delayed due to weather conditions. Notable delays include:

Ayodhya Express: 4 hours late.
Gorakhdham Express: Over 2 hours late.
Bihar Kranti Express and Shram Shakti Express: Delayed by more than 3 hours.
IMD’s Fog Warning and Upcoming Weather Changes
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for dense to very dense fog in:

Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of North India.
Specific cities include Amritsar, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Guwahati, and more.
Additionally, light rain and snow are predicted in Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, offering relief to certain areas.