Dense Fog Engulfs Delhi for Second Consecutive Morning
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Delhi woke up to a dense blanket of fog for the second consecutive morning, reducing visibility to zero in several areas and disrupting transportation. Officials confirmed that the adverse weather conditions delayed 81 trains and caused the diversion of 15 flights on Saturday.
Zero Visibility at Key Locations
The Meteorological Department reported zero visibility at Palam since 11:30 pm on Friday and at Safdarjung from 12:30 am on Saturday. Calm surface winds prevented the fog from dissipating, exacerbating the situation. At 7 am, general visibility at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) was recorded at zero under very dense fog conditions. The Runway Visual Range (RVR) ranged between 100 and 250 meters, with Category III (CAT III) conditions prevailing.
Impact on Flights and Trains
Despite the challenging conditions, landing and takeoffs continued at IGIA under CAT III operations, which allow aircraft to operate in low-visibility scenarios. However, flights that are not CAT III-compliant faced delays and diversions.
“Passengers are requested to contact their respective airlines for updated flight information. We deeply regret any inconvenience caused,” Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter) at 6:56 am.
On the railway front, Northern Railway reported significant delays, with 59 trains running behind schedule by up to six hours and 22 trains delayed by around eight hours.
Air Quality Remains a Concern
The national capital’s air quality also remained grim, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 380, classified as ‘very poor’ according to Central Pollution Control Board data.
- AQI Breakdown:
- 0-50: Good
- 51-100: Satisfactory
- 101-200: Moderate
- 201-300: Poor
- 301-400: Very Poor
- 401-500: Severe
Weather Forecast and Temperature
Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 7.8°C, slightly above normal for this time of year. The Met office has predicted dense to very dense fog throughout the day, with the maximum temperature likely to settle around 21°C.
