Thick fog engulfed Delhi and its surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) on Wednesday, causing major disruptions in transportation. The dense fog led to low visibility across several areas, including Noida and Ghaziabad, where conditions were particularly severe, with zero visibility reported during the early morning hours. This resulted in delays for more than 100 flights at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and the postponement of 26 trains in the region.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light rain or drizzle in the capital on Wednesday, with temperatures expected to range from a minimum of 9°C to a maximum of 19°C. The cold wave is contributing to the foggy conditions.
Flight Delays and Airport Advisory
Over 100 flights were delayed at IGI Airport due to poor visibility. While the fog has not caused any cancellations or diversions so far, the airport issued an advisory warning that flights not equipped with CAT III instrumentation, which allows for operations in low visibility, may face disruptions.
IndiGo, one of the major airlines operating from Delhi, advised passengers to stay updated on their flight status via their website or app. The airline emphasized that it is closely monitoring weather conditions and working to minimize delays while ensuring passenger safety.
Train Services Affected
The fog also caused significant delays in train services, with 26 trains affected across the region. The disruption highlights the widespread impact of the weather conditions on both air and rail transport in the capital.
Weather Conditions and Forecast
The IMD reported that surface winds would be light, coming from the southeast at speeds below 4 km/h in the morning, gradually increasing in the afternoon. However, the evening and night hours are expected to see a drop in wind speed. The fog is expected to persist, with shallow fog or smog anticipated during the evening and night.
In addition to Delhi, neighboring states including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan are likely to experience dense to very dense fog over the next few days.
Travel Advisory for Passengers
Travelers are urged to stay updated on the status of their flights and trains as the dense fog continues to affect transport across Delhi and the NCR. The weather is expected to improve gradually, but passengers are advised to prepare for continued delays throughout the day.
