Dense fog paralyzes North India; flights, trains and road traffic disrupted
The foggy conditions exacerbated Delhi’s air pollution, with the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) plunging into the 'very poor' category.
NATIONAL
A thick blanket of fog enveloped North India on Saturday, throwing air, rail, and road traffic into disarray. The severe weather conditions, coupled with a biting cold wave, led to the cancellation of 43 flights and delays for over 250 at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Similar disruptions were reported at airports across the region, leaving passengers stranded and frustrated.
Authorities confirmed that runway visibility at Delhi Airport dropped to zero during the morning hours, forcing airlines to suspend operations temporarily. Airlines such as IndiGo and Air India issued advisories urging passengers to check updated flight schedules due to the ongoing weather challenges.
“Dense fog has significantly impacted flight operations in Delhi and neighboring areas. Passengers are advised to stay in touch with their respective airlines for real-time updates,” said airport officials in a statement.
The situation was no better for train travelers. Over 25 trains were running behind schedule, with long-distance services bearing the brunt of the fog. Road traffic across major cities like Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Amritsar, and Jaipur slowed to a crawl as vehicles struggled to navigate the low-visibility conditions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Delhi, predicting “very dense fog” and continued cold wave conditions. Temperatures in the capital dipped to 10.2°C early Saturday morning, slightly higher than Friday’s 9.6°C. Similar conditions were reported in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, with the Indo-Gangetic Plains entirely shrouded in fog, as satellite imagery revealed.
Kolkata Airport also reported disruptions, with 40 flights delayed and five cancellations. Chandigarh, Amritsar, and Jaipur airports faced similar challenges, compounding the woes of travelers across North India.
The foggy conditions exacerbated Delhi’s air pollution, with the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) plunging into the 'very poor' category. Out of 32 monitoring stations, 10 recorded 'severe' air quality levels. Authorities reinstated anti-pollution measures under GRAP III, including restrictions on polluting vehicles.