Cold Wave In North India: Dense Fog Grips Delhi & Surrounding Region, Zero Visibility At IGI Airport; Visuals Surface | ANI
New Delhi: A thick blanket of fog has engulfed northern India, causing plummeting temperatures and major disruptions in train and flight operations across multiple states for the second consecutive day.
Delhi Airport Issues Advisory For Passengers
The Delhi airport issued an advisory cautioning passengers about the impact of dense fog on operations. Travellers were advised to contact their airlines for updates. Over 90 flights have been delayed at the Delhi airport this morning alone, with zero visibility reported at airports in Srinagar, Chandigarh, Agra, Lucknow, Amritsar, Hindon and Gwalior.
Train Services Affected In & Around Delhi
Train services have also been severely affected. Over 50 trains bound for Delhi are running late. The 22436 New Delhi Vande Bharat Express is delayed by more than four hours, the Varanasi Vande Bharat Express is running 14 hours late, and the Anand Vihar Terminal Superfast Express is over seven hours behind schedule.
Yesterday, more than 200 flights were delayed as visibility dropped to zero at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast dense to very dense fog in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Punjab and Haryana. Visibility at IGI Airport this morning remains at zero, according to IMD.
Airlines Issue Advisory For Passengers
Airlines have issued updates regarding the weather’s impact on their schedules. IndiGo reported reduced visibility affecting its operations. Air India also highlighted poor visibility as a reason for delays, urging passengers to check flight statuses. Similarly, SpiceJet warned of potential delays for all arrivals and departures due to adverse weather conditions in Delhi.
Weather Update On Delhi
The IMD predicts that Delhi will continue to experience fog until January 8, with light rain expected on January 6. As of Saturday morning, the temperature in Delhi stood at 10 degrees Celsius.
The current weather meets the criteria for a cold day, as the minimum temperature is under 10 degrees Celsius, and the deviation from the normal temperature is at least 4.5 degrees lower.
Adding to the challenges, air quality in Delhi remains poor. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an Air Quality Index (AQI) of over 240, categorizing it as Very Unhealthy.
