Delhi weather: Dense fog envelops City, over 100 flights delayed

Delhi weather: A thick blanket of dense fog enveloped Delhi Friday morning, reducing visibility to zero which impacted air and train operations, according to officials.

They said over 100 flights were delayed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and 26 trains were running late.

According to the India Meteorological Department, “Zero visibility has prevailed over Palam since 4.30 IST with southeasterly winds blowing at 6-8 kmph.”

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At Safdarjung, visibility remains limited to a minimum of 50 meters in dense fog since 5.30 IST with calm winds, the IMD added.

Meanwhile, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 6 degrees Celsius, 0.9 notches below normal, while the air quality was recorded in the severe category.

According to the CPCB air quality bulletin, the AQI at 9 am was recorded in the “severe” category with a reading of 408.

The weatherman has forecast very dense fog for the day , with the maximum temperature expected to settle around 16 degrees Celsius.

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Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Centre’s panel on Delhi-NCR’s air quality reinstated stage 3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) due to a sharp rise in pollution levels caused by unfavourable meteorological conditions, an official order said.

Delhi’s air quality showed a worsening trend, with the 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) reaching 357 at 4 pm, up from 297 on Wednesday, due to “calm winds and foggy conditions.”

The Commission for Air Quality Management, tasked with formulating strategies to reduce air pollution in Delhi-NCR, instructed authorities to immediately enforce the measures outlined under stage 3 to prevent further deterioration of air quality.

GRAP Stage 3, which had been lifted on Sunday, includes a ban on non-essential construction work.

Under Stage 3, schools up to grade V must shift to hybrid learning, with parents and students having the option to opt for online education where available.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”.