Delhi wakes up to dense fog and cold wave, several flights and trains disrupted

Dense fog blanketed Delhi for the second consecutive morning, reducing visibility to zero in several areas and causing significant disruptions, officials reported on Saturday. The weather conditions led to delays for 81 trains and the diversion of 15 flights.

According to the Meteorological Department, visibility dropped to zero at Palam from 11:30 pm on Friday and at Safdarjung from 12:30 am on Saturday. Calm surface winds prevented the fog from dispersing, intensifying the situation.

At 7 am, visibility at Indira Gandhi International Airport was reduced to zero due to very dense fog, with the Runway Visual Range (RVR) on runways varying between 100-250 meters under CAT III conditions. The Met office noted that such conditions had persisted since late Friday night.

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) stated in a post on X at 6:56 am that while flight operations continued, non-CAT III-compliant flights might be affected. Passengers were advised to contact their airlines for updates. CAT III technology enables aircraft to operate in low-visibility conditions.

Northern Railway reported delays for 59 trains by up to six hours and 22 trains by around eight hours.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 380 at 9 am, as per Central Pollution Control Board data. An AQI between 301 and 400 signifies ‘very poor’ air quality.

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The minimum temperature was recorded at 7.8 degrees Celsius, slightly above normal, while the maximum temperature is expected to reach around 21 degrees Celsius. The Met office has forecast dense to very dense fog throughout the day.

(With inputs from PTI)