Severe Fog Covers Delhi-NCR, Leading to 41 Train Delays
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Synopsis
On January 19, dense fog enveloped Delhi-NCR, causing significant train delays and challenging travel conditions. Affected trains faced delays of over three hours, with air quality worsening. The IMD predicts continued fog and potential rain in the coming days.
Key Takeaways
- Dense fog disrupted train schedules in Delhi-NCR.
- 41 trains experienced delays of up to three hours.
- Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 'very poor' levels.
- Cold weather affected homeless individuals seeking shelter.
- Precautionary measures are being implemented by authorities.
New Delhi, Jan 19 (NationPress) Thick fog enveloped Delhi-NCR on Sunday, causing major disruptions in train services across various routes and creating difficult travel conditions for commuters.
The city woke up to a foggy morning at a temperature of 10 degrees Celsius, with visibility significantly impaired.
Railway officials are striving to ensure passenger safety, yet delays continued throughout the morning.
A total of 47 trains departing from Delhi were affected, with 41 experiencing delays—some exceeding three hours. Significant delays were noted in trains like the KIR-ASR Express, Lichchavi Express, Gorkhdham Express, Purushottam Express, Mahabodhi Express, Malwa Express, and Dakshin Express. Moreover, the schedules of six trains were adjusted to manage the disruptions.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) announced dense fog across Delhi and NCR, with the cold wave expected to linger.
Moderate fog conditions are anticipated until January 21, followed by light rain or thundershowers on January 22 and 23. Morning temperatures are projected to range from 7 degrees Celsius to 12 degrees Celsius, while daytime temperatures could fluctuate between 18 degrees Celsius and 21 degrees Celsius.
Travellers leaving from major stations like New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin are advised to keep abreast of train schedules through official railway apps and station announcements to reduce inconvenience.
In addition to impacting train operations, the thick fog has worsened Delhi's air quality.
The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) fell to 335, classified as 'very poor' according to the Sameer app, a notable decrease from Saturday's figure of 248.
Despite the fluctuating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) recently rescinded Stage-III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) following an earlier AQI improvement.
The cold weather has prompted many homeless individuals to find shelter in night facilities, with authorities closely monitoring the situation to ensure sufficient provisions are available.
Beyond the capital, dense to very dense fog is likely to continue in regions of Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, and eastern Uttar Pradesh during the night and early morning, disrupting travel in these areas. Northern Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan will remain under a cold spell, with maximum temperatures staying below average throughout the weekend.
Meanwhile, southern states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh are experiencing sporadic rainfall. Coastal Tamil Nadu is expected to see isolated thunderstorms, with rainfall intensity peaking over the weekend, particularly in the southern districts.
As winter conditions intensify, authorities in affected areas are taking precautionary measures to lessen the impact of the weather on daily life.
