Dense fog descended upon the national capital on Wednesday, severely impacting daily life as citizens grappled with nearly zero visibility. The thick fog blankets have not only disrupted road traffic but have also led to significant delays in the operations of trains and flights across Delhi NCR.
Disrupted Air Travel
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport witnessed operational challenges, with more than 30 flights experiencing delays. Departure and arrival schedules for both international and domestic flights have been affected, causing inconvenience to passengers. The reduced visibility at Delhi (Palam) airport was reported at just 50 meters at 7 am on Wednesday.
Delayed Flights:
- Departures: Seven international flights and 21 domestic flights.
- Arrivals: Four international flights and three domestic flights.
Impacted Rail Services
Over 25 trains approaching or passing through Delhi stations are running late due to the dense fog. The delays range from a few hours to nearly six hours for some major train services.
Delayed Trains:
- Jat-NDLS Rajdhani: 2 hrs 43 mins late
- Purushottam Express: 4 hrs 54 mins late
- GT Express: 3 hrs 53 mins late
- Uttar SAMPARKKranti: 2 hrs 13 mins late
- Mahabodhi Express: 5 hours late
- Gorakhdham Express: 3 hrs 49 mins late
Meteorological Alert
The Meteorological Department issued an orange alert across the city at 8 am, signaling the need for preparedness due to the persistently low visibility. According to IMD colour codes, an orange alert requires authorities to remain prepared for adverse conditions.
Recommended Actions by Authorities
Transport and Aviation:
- Exercise caution while driving or traveling through any mode of transport.
- Use fog lights during driving.
- Stay in touch with airlines, railways, and state transportation for schedule updates.
Power Sector:
- Keep maintenance teams ready.
Health Sector:
- Avoid outings unless it’s an emergency.
- Cover your face while going out.
Airport Advisory
In response to the challenging conditions, Delhi airport issued a fog alert for all flyers. While landing and takeoffs continue, flights not compliant with CAT III standards may be affected. Passengers are urged to contact their airlines for updated flight information.
Satellite Imagery Details
Satellite imagery reveals the extent of dense fog covering parts of northwest and adjoining central India, causing the lowest visibility levels.
Visibility Levels (in meters):
- Amritsar (Airport): 0 meters
- Patiala: 25 meters
- Srinagar, J&K: 25 meters
- Uttar Pradesh (including Bareilly, Lucknow, Prayagraj): 25 meters
- Rajasthan (Ganganagar, Kota): 50 meters
- Safdarjung, Delhi: 50 meters
- Gwalior, MP: 200 meters
- Bihar (Patna, Gaya): 500 meters
- Jamshedpur, Jharkhand: 500 meters
- Odisha (Jharsugudam, Paradip): 500 meters
- Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh: 500 meters
Meteorological Department’s Insight
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the dense fog cover aligns with its predictions, extending across north India. The department emphasizes that the thick layers of fog are likely to persist during the night and early morning, affecting the region for more extended durations.
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