As dense fog continues to engulf Delhi, the city is grappling with widespread disruptions in both air and rail travel, causing chaos for commuters and travelers alike. The thick fog has resulted in the cancellation of at least 15 flights and more than 180 delays, with delays averaging 25 minutes at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. In addition to air travel, train services have also been severely impacted, with over 60 trains delayed, some by as much as six hours. The situation at IGI airport has been particularly chaotic, as on Saturday alone, 48 flights were cancelled, and 564 flights experienced delays, affecting thousands of passengers.
The dense fog has also caused an unprecedented nine-hour period of zero visibility, marking the longest spell of such weather this winter season. This visibility issue has compounded the already difficult travel conditions, especially for those relying on trains. Several key long-distance trains, such as the Bihar Sampark Kranti Express and Shram Shakti Express, were delayed by over six hours. This left many passengers stranded and struggling to reach their destinations on time.
On Sunday, at around 11:30 am, the situation remained grim as 15 flights were still cancelled and more than 180 others were delayed. Although visibility improved slightly to 50 meters at IGI Airport by 8 am, it had been zero visibility from 4 am to 8 am, making it challenging for flights to operate smoothly during those critical early hours.
In terms of weather, the minimum temperature in Delhi was recorded at 9.4 degrees Celsius at 8:30 am, while the mercury dipped to 10 degrees Celsius at 5:30 am, which was slightly lower compared to the previous day. The city also experienced extremely high humidity, with relative humidity levels ranging between 96 and 100 percent throughout the day, which contributed to the dense fog that blanketed the capital.
Alongside these weather disruptions, Delhi's pollution levels remained dangerously high, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reported at 377 early this morning. This AQI level falls under the "poor" category, indicating that the air quality is harmful to health, especially for those with respiratory conditions. On Saturday, the situation was even worse, with the AQI in the "very poor" category at 378, a level that poses serious health risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
This persistent fog, combined with the pollution, led to the delay of 81 trains on Saturday and the diversion of 15 flights, further exacerbating the already difficult situation. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city saw zero visibility for an extended period from 6 pm to 3 am, with Safdarjung, the primary weather station, recording eight hours of zero visibility, signaling the severity of the weather conditions.
Despite these challenges, Delhi experienced slightly warmer temperatures during the day, with the maximum temperature settling at 20°C, 0.7°C above the normal average for this time of year. The minimum temperature was recorded at 7.8°C, which is 0.9°C above normal. The high levels of humidity, coupled with the fog and smog, made conditions even more uncomfortable for residents and commuters.
The IMD has predicted that the fog and smog will persist on Sunday, with a partly cloudy sky expected throughout the day. Smog and moderate fog are likely in many areas, with dense fog expected in certain spots during the morning hours. The wind speed is forecast to gradually increase to 8-10 km/h from the southeast by the afternoon, before decreasing to less than 6 km/h in the evening. While the weather conditions are expected to improve slightly during the day, travelers are advised to be cautious and plan ahead for any possible disruptions.
The situation at IGI Airport has been particularly challenging, with the Runway Visual Range (RVR) falling to 100-250 meters, which falls under CAT III conditions. These conditions allow aircraft to land and take off in low-visibility situations, but only those planes equipped with the necessary technology and procedures. Flights that are not CAT III-compliant have faced delays or cancellations. The airport issued warnings to passengers to check with their airlines for updated flight information, as the dense fog and low visibility severely impacted flight operations. Despite this, the airport continued to operate, and flights were landing and taking off in a limited capacity.
In the rail sector, Northern Railway reported significant delays, with 59 trains running late by up to six hours and 22 trains delayed by around eight hours. This has been a major inconvenience for passengers, with many having to deal with extended waits and altered schedules, as the fog and low visibility caused disruptions across the rail network.
The overall situation in Delhi remains dire, with the combination of dense fog, low visibility, and high pollution levels making it a particularly challenging time for residents and travelers. Health advisories have been issued urging people to limit outdoor activities and take necessary precautions, as the air quality remains hazardous. The ongoing fog and smog, coupled with the extended disruptions to transport systems, are likely to continue for the next few days, making it essential for authorities to manage the situation carefully and provide support to those affected.
