184 flights delayed, 26 trains running late

A thick fog blanketed the capital and its surrounding areas in the early morning hours of Wednesday, causing severe visibility problems and widespread disruptions to transportation.

At least 7 flights were cancelled while 184 other flights were delayed. 26 trains bound for Delhi were also running late. Six train schedules had been altered due low visibility. Visibility levels plummeted to near zero in many areas, disrupting air, rail, and road traffic.

The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for the national capital a day earlier, warning of dense or very dense fog. The dense fog also caused road traffic to slow down in Delhi and other cities of the NCR.

Delhi Airport, in a press release issued around 7:30 am, urged passengers to keep informed about the status of their flights. “Although take-offs and landings continue, flights not meeting the CAT III standards (Category III Instrument Landing System) may experience delays. We recommend that passengers check with their airline for the latest information. Delhi Airport repeatedly stated that it regrets any inconvenience caused.

IndiGo and SpiceJet, two budget airlines, also warned travellers to monitor their flight plans due to heavy fog that was affecting air travel. IMD predicted that the minimum temperature would be 9 degrees Celsius for the day.

The maximum temperature was expected to be around 19 degrees. The weather department also warned that there would be a generally overcast day.

IMD has predicted further fog in the evening and at night. Cloudy skies are expected all day. There is also the possibility of light rain in the evening or night. This will further complicate the weather conditions.

The national capital’s average air quality remains “poor”. The northern Indian region has been plagued by a persistent fog and a cold wave, which have further complicated the already difficult conditions of winter. Residents are advised to take extra care when travelling.