Dense Fog and Severe Air Quality Disrupt Delhi-NCR, Affecting Flights and Trains

Delhi: Delhi and its neighboring cities, including Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram, woke up to dense fog on Friday morning, with visibility plunging to zero in some areas. The weather conditions caused significant disruptions, particularly at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), where over 100 flights were reported delayed. Passengers were urged to stay in touch with their respective airlines for real-time updates.

Foggy Conditions and Weather Forecast

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded Delhi's temperature at 9.6°C at 5:30 am, predicting a minimum of 6°C and a maximum of 20°C during the day. The IMD also forecasted "very dense fog" across the region. The situation mirrored earlier conditions between January 2 and 3, when visibility dropped to zero for an extraordinary nine hours, the longest stretch of the season.

IGI Airport issued an advisory at 4:25 am, cautioning passengers about potential delays. A subsequent update at 5:52 am confirmed that while flight departures were affected, operations of CAT III-compliant aircraft—designed to handle low-visibility conditions—continued without interruption. Airlines, including IndiGo, used social media to urge passengers to verify their flight statuses before traveling.

Severe Air Quality Adds to Woes

The dense fog was accompanied by deteriorating air quality, with Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting 409—categorized as “severe”—at 6:05 am, according to the Sameer app. The 24-hour average AQI also rose sharply to 357 from 297 the previous day, attributed to calm winds and foggy conditions trapping pollutants near the surface.

In response to the worsening pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reimposed Stage 3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). These measures, which include halting non-essential construction activities, aim to mitigate further deterioration.

A Persistent Challenge for Delhi

While pollution remains a critical concern, long-term data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) shows some progress. Delhi recorded a 12% reduction in PM10 levels compared to its 2017 baseline. However, the city has yet to meet its air quality improvement targets.

Recent Weather Patterns

On Thursday, Delhi enjoyed a sunny afternoon with a maximum temperature of 21.2°C, slightly warmer than the seasonal average. However, the morning was chilly at 4.8°C, a significant drop from 7.4°C the day before.

Travel Disruptions and Safety Advisory

The dense fog disrupted not only flights but also road and rail transportation, though the full extent of train delays was not immediately clear. Travelers are advised to exercise caution, particularly in the early morning hours when visibility is at its lowest. Those planning to fly are encouraged to confirm schedules with airlines to avoid inconvenience.