Delhi fog disrupts travel: Airport alerts, 18 trains delayed, rain expected

Dense fog blanketed parts of Delhi on Thursday morning, leading to low-visibility procedures at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Despite the fog, flight operations remained unaffected, according to airport authorities. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a minimum temperature of 7°C and predicted continued foggy conditions.

The IMD expects dense fog to persist through the late night and early morning on December 26 and 28. It also forecasts partly cloudy skies, with light rain possible in the evening or night. Winds will be light, blowing from the northeast at under 4 km/h in the morning. Smog and moderate fog are likely throughout the city, with some areas experiencing dense fog.

At the airport, officials reassured passengers that flights were operating as scheduled despite the fog. An advisory on social media urged travelers to stay updated by contacting their airlines. “Low Visibility Procedures are in progress at Delhi Airport. All flight operations are presently normal,” said the airport’s post.

Air quality remains a concern. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an AQI of 372 at 8 am, categorizing the air as “very poor.” Specific areas such as Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, and Bawana recorded AQI levels between 362 and 376. For context, AQI levels between 301 and 400 are considered “very poor,” while those above 400 are deemed “severe.”

Although Delhi’s air quality improved enough for the government to lift Stage IV (“Severe”) measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) maintained Stage I, II, and III measures to prevent further degradation.

Additionally, 18 trains from various parts of the country were delayed due to dense fog. Notable among the delayed trains were the Avadh Assam Express, Unchahar Express, and Vikramshila Express.

Despite the challenges, authorities are focused on ensuring the smooth operation of transport and keeping the public informed about changing conditions. Travelers are encouraged to monitor the weather and air quality for any further updates.