Thick Fog Threatens Flight Operations in Delhi; IMD Foresees Warmer Days Ahead
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New Delhi, Jan 2 (NationPress) Thick fog blanketed parts of Delhi on Thursday morning, drastically reducing visibility and disrupting everyday activities.
The temperature fell to 10 degrees Celsius at 5:30 a.m., with flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport facing possible interruptions due to limited visibility.
As reported by the Delhi Airport authorities, runway visibility fluctuated between 200 to 500 meters, while general visibility dropped to zero by 6 a.m. Flights capable of low-visibility landings managed to operate, but others were likely to experience delays or rerouting.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for dense fog in Delhi and its adjacent areas, including Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurgaon, advising residents about poor visibility and difficult commuting situations.
For Thursday, the IMD predicts partly cloudy skies accompanied by strong surface winds of 10-15 km/h. The maximum temperature is anticipated to reach 17 degrees Celsius, while the minimum might fall to 8 degrees Celsius.
Recently, the capital has been experiencing cold weather. On New Year's Day, temperatures plummeted to 7.4 degrees Celsius, with a maximum of 15 degrees Celsius, which is four degrees below normal.
A brief warm-up is expected on January 3 and 4, with maximum temperatures rising to 19-20 degrees Celsius and minimums around 9 degrees Celsius.
However, this warming trend may be short-lived, as a western disturbance from Pakistan and Afghanistan is set to bring heavy rainfall to Delhi-NCR on January 6. A similar weather system caused significant rain in late December, resulting in the current cold wave.
In the meantime, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 241, classifying it as 'poor.'
Residents are advised to be cautious during the thick fog, especially while driving, and are encouraged to stay informed about any changes in flight schedules due to the prevailing weather conditions.
