Delhi Shivers Under Dense Fog and Cold Wave, Flight and Train Operations Affected

 Delhi experienced a bone-chilling morning on Friday as dense fog blanketed the city, reducing visibility to zero in several areas, according to officials.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the minimum temperature plunged to 7 degrees Celsius at 5:30 a.m., marking another cold wave in the national capital. Earlier predictions had placed the minimum temperature at 6 degrees Celsius, with a maximum of around 20 degrees Celsius and “very dense fog” conditions anticipated.

Impact on Flight and Train Operations
The dense fog disrupted transportation, with visibility issues significantly affecting flight and train schedules. The Delhi Airport issued an advisory, acknowledging the delays and advising passengers to contact their respective airlines for updated information.

“Due to dense fog, there has been an impact on flight departures; however, flights equipped with CAT III capabilities can land and depart. Passengers are advised to contact the concerned airlines for updates. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted,” the advisory stated.

Train services were also hit, with delays reported across major stations, including New Delhi Railway Station, Anand Vihar Terminus, and Hazrat Nizamuddin Station.

Air Quality Declines to ‘Severe’
Adding to the morning woes, Delhi’s air quality dipped into the ‘severe’ category. The Central Pollution Control Board reported an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 409 at 7 a.m., a sharp deterioration from the previous day’s AQI of 299 at the same time.

For context, an AQI of 0–50 is classified as ‘good,’ 51–100 ‘satisfactory,’ 101–200 ‘moderate,’ 201–300 ‘poor,’ 301–400 ‘very poor,’ and 401–500 ‘severe.’

The combination of dense fog, plummeting temperatures, and severe air quality continues to pose significant challenges for residents in the national capital.