Flight and Train Services Disrupted as Thick Fog Covers Delhi-NCR
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New Delhi, Jan 3 (NationPress) A thick layer of fog has blanketed numerous regions in Delhi-NCR, leading to reduced visibility and subsequently disrupting train and flight services.
At least 24 trains departing from Delhi have experienced delays due to adverse weather conditions. Among the affected services, the Ayodhya Express encountered a delay of four hours, while the Gorakhdham Express ran late by over two hours. Additionally, both the Bihar Kranti Express and the Shram Shakti Express faced delays exceeding three hours.
Several airline flights were also impacted, although the Delhi airport reported an average delay of five minutes for incoming flights and 11 minutes for outgoing flights, according to FlightRadar24.
While SpiceJet announced that all flights to and from Amritsar and Guwahati were affected due to the weather, IndiGo issued a travel advisory particularly for routes connecting Delhi, Amritsar, Lucknow, Bengaluru, and Guwahati.
Various airlines have advised passengers to verify flight schedules when planning their travels, cautioning that cancellations may occur if visibility does not improve.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi can expect foggy conditions to persist until January 8, with light rain predicted on January 6. The region awoke to a dense fog on Friday, with temperatures dipping to a low of 8 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the air quality in the national capital worsened, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 318, categorizing it as “very poor,” as the Central Pollution Control Board resumed its data updates following a brief pause. The forecasted maximum and minimum temperatures are 17 degrees Celsius and 8 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Visibility deteriorated significantly at 6 a.m., prompting authorities to implement safety measures. Flights lacking the requisite equipment for low-visibility landings, especially those not meeting CAT III standards, are likely to face delays or cancellations.
The Safdarjung weather station, a key indicator for Delhi's climate, recorded a maximum temperature of 16.2 degrees Celsius earlier on Thursday, a slight increase from 15 degrees Celsius the previous day but still three degrees below the normal range.
The IMD states that “cold day” conditions are declared when the maximum temperature is 4.5 degrees or more below normal, provided the minimum temperature is under 10 degrees. While Safdarjung did not meet this criterion, Palam, Najafgarh, Pusa, and Narela weather stations reported “cold day” conditions.
However, relief seems to be on the way as the IMD predicts a slight rise in temperatures in the coming days due to the influence of a new western disturbance. The maximum temperature in Delhi is expected to stay around 17 degrees on Friday and increase to 18 degrees Celsius by Saturday. “A slight rise of about one degree in maximum temperatures is anticipated across most areas,” noted an IMD official.
