Dense Fog Covers Delhi; Flight and Train Delays Persist
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New Delhi, Jan 7 (NationPress) The national capital is currently shrouded in dense fog, which has significantly diminished visibility and compounded winter hardships. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a temperature of 11.6 degrees Celsius in Delhi at 5:30 a.m., with a forecasted minimum of 8 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 19 degrees Celsius for the day.
Due to the poor visibility conditions, over 400 flights at the Delhi airport faced delays on Monday. SpiceJet, via a post on X, indicated that due to anticipated adverse weather (low visibility) in Delhi (DEL), Amritsar (ATQ), Jammu (IXJ), Srinagar (SXR), Gorakhpur (GOP), Varanasi (VNS), Ayodhya (AYJ), Darbhanga (DBR), and Patna (PAT), all departures/arrivals and their corresponding flights might be disrupted on January 7.
Furthermore, as the cold wave and fog intensified, several trains experienced delays at the New Delhi railway station.
Looking forward, the IMD's seven-day forecast anticipates rain and thunderstorms on January 11 and 12, which experts believe could help reduce air pollution levels. This potential rainfall may also enhance visibility and provide some relief from the ongoing thick fog.
The air quality in the national capital remains in the 'Very Poor' category for the second consecutive day. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 310 as of 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
Specific areas in Delhi, such as Anand Vihar (394), Patparganj (364), Jahangirpuri (359), and Ashok Vihar (343), recorded even higher AQI levels, indicating severe pollution in these regions. However, some areas like Najafgarh (284) showed slightly better air quality, categorized as 'Poor'.
According to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Delhi's AQI is expected to improve in the forthcoming days, transitioning to the 'Poor' category due to favorable meteorological conditions. Enhanced wind speeds have contributed to this gradual improvement, with AQI levels noted at 339 at 4 p.m. and 335 at 5 p.m. on Monday. The IMD's forecast suggests a continuing downward trend in AQI levels.
Residents are urged to exercise caution during low-visibility conditions and take necessary precautions to safeguard themselves against the impacts of poor air quality and cold.
