Weather Alert: Dense Fog Hits Northern India, 134 Flights Delayed, IMD Issues Red Alert

Due to worsening weather conditions in the northern region, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for dense fog in several states including Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. This alert spans five days for Haryana and Punjab and three days for Uttar Pradesh, prompting the UP State Road Transport Corporation to implement guidelines for bus operations during low visibility.

Recent INSAT imagery revealed a thick layer of fog blanketing northern India, affecting areas in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and northwest Madhya Pradesh. The resulting low visibility has led to traffic disruptions and unfortunate accidents.

Delhi, the national capital, faced severe disruptions on Thursday due to dense fog, causing delays in around 134 flights at the Delhi airport, both domestic and international. Similarly, 22 trains experienced delays at the New Delhi Railway Station, inconveniencing passengers amidst the cold weather.

However, on Friday, there was a slight improvement in Delhi's air quality, settling at an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 356. Despite this, the air quality is anticipated to remain in the "very poor" category for the next couple of days. The Delhi Airport Authority issued an advisory cautioning that non-CAT III compliant flights might encounter disruptions.

Tragically, the reduced visibility caused fatal road crashes in Uttar Pradesh, claiming six lives and injuring twelve others on Thursday. Meteorological officials reported dense fog across the state, with visibility dropping to less than 40 meters in some regions. The weather department forecasts continued dense fog, with visibility expected to dip to 50 meters in the state for the next two mornings.