Delhi Shivers Under Cold Wave, 18 Trains Delayed; Rain Likely Today

Thursday morning saw dense fog envelop parts of Delhi, leading to the implementation of low-visibility procedures at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, though flight schedules were not disrupted. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a minimum temperature of 7 degrees Celsius in the capital and forecasted dense fog for the coming days. Despite the fog, flights at Delhi Airport continued as planned, with an official advisory confirming that all operations were normal. The airport's social media update advised passengers to check with their airlines for the latest flight information.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) noted that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was 'very poor,' with a reading of 372 early Thursday morning. This comes after Wednesday's AQI stood at 360, indicating a persistent problem with air quality. Specific locations such as Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, and Bawana reported particularly poor air quality. The weather department has warned of dense fog during late nights and early mornings on December 26 and 28, with the possibility of very light to light rain by evening or night. The wind is expected to come from the northeast, with speeds of less than 4 km/h.

Rain and Wind Forecast Amidst Foggy Conditions

In addition to fog, Delhi might experience light rain, as partly cloudy skies are anticipated towards the evening or night time. The prevailing surface winds, blowing from the northeast direction at speeds under 4 km/h, might contribute to smog and moderate fog across most areas. Isolated places could witness dense fog, particularly in the morning, further affecting visibility.

Flight Operations and Train Delays

Even with the fog, Delhi Airport ensured that flight operations remained unaffected by employing low visibility procedures. A social media post from the airport reassured passengers that despite the weather conditions, all flights were operating normally. However, they recommended passengers stay updated on their flights by contacting their airlines directly. This follows an advisory from the previous day, cautioning that flights not equipped with CAT III compliance might face disruptions. CAT III allows aircraft to land in low visibility conditions, with varying levels of precision instrument approaches, categorized as I, II, or III based on visibility and decision height.

The foggy conditions also resulted in at least 18 trains running late to Delhi from different parts of the country, affecting services like the Avadh Assam Express and Unchahar Express. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had recently lifted Stage IV ('Severe') measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) due to improved air quality. However, actions under Stages I, II, and III continue to be in effect to prevent any further deterioration of air quality.