Dense Fog Blankets North India, Disrupting Flight Operations At Delhi Airport

On a foggy Saturday morning, dense fog enveloped parts of north India, including Delhi, bringing visibility down to zero in many areas. This severe weather condition caused significant disruptions at the Delhi airport, affecting both flight operations and road traffic. Commuters found themselves moving at a crawl, struggling to see through the dense fog that covered the region. The fog had a notable impact on daily activities, emphasizing the challenges posed by extreme weather conditions.

Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) alerted passengers about the disruptions caused by the dense fog through a post on X at 12.05am. The message from DIAL advised passengers to get in touch with their respective airlines for the most current flight information. DIAL expressed regret for any inconvenience caused by the weather-induced delays. Additionally, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Delhi was shrouded in dense fog, which reduced visibility significantly across the city. The maximum temperature in the capital was recorded at 21.2 degrees Celsius, slightly above the average, while the minimum temperature dropped to 7 degrees Celsius.

IndiGo, one of the affected airlines, announced a temporary halt on both departures and arrivals at the Delhi airport, attributing the pause to the reduced visibility caused by the fog. The airline shared this information in a post on X at 1.05 am, under the hashtag "#6ETravelAdvisory." IndiGo also cautioned that even when operations resumed, flights could face delays due to congestion on the airside. Following IndiGo's announcement, Air India also reported delays in flight operations at 1.16 am on X, citing poor visibility due to dense fog not only in Delhi but across parts of northern India.

The disruption wasn't limited to flight operations alone. Road traffic across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana slowed to a crawl as drivers found it difficult to navigate through the thick fog. This situation underscored the extensive impact of adverse weather conditions on transportation within the region.

The adverse weather also led to over 400 flights being delayed, as reported by an unidentified airport official. The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), managed by DIAL and handling around 1,300 flight movements daily, experienced zero visibility due to the very dense fog. This weather event highlighted the significant challenges faced by airport operations during extreme fog conditions.

Moreover, Delhi's air quality was recorded at 371 in the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI), placing it in the "very poor" category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This further compounded the difficulties faced by residents and commuters in the area.

The weather-induced disruptions at the Delhi airport and the surrounding regions serve as a reminder of the impact of severe weather conditions on transportation and daily life. While efforts are made to mitigate inconvenience, the unpredictability of weather poses ongoing challenges.