New Delhi: Dense fog has blanketed several parts of North India, reducing visibility, lowering temperatures, and disrupting train and flight operations. According to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) over the past 24 hours, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 16°C, three degrees below normal, and a minimum of 7.6°C.
Friday morning saw the temperature at 9.6°C, marking the fifth consecutive cold day in the capital. Foggy conditions are expected to persist in Delhi until January 8, with light rain anticipated on January 6, as reported by NDTV.
Air quality in Delhi remains a concern, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 309 at the Lodhi Road station, categorised as Very Poor.
Flights Delayed Due To Dense Fog
The dense fog also impacted flights, with airlines like SpiceJet, IndiGo and Air India reporting delays. As per FlightRadar24, average delays were five minutes for arriving flights and 11 minutes for departures at the Delhi airport.
SpiceJet announced disruptions for flights to and from Amritsar and Guwahati due to adverse weather, while IndiGo issued advisories for multiple routes, including Delhi, Amritsar, Lucknow, Bengaluru and Guwahati. Airlines urged passengers to verify flight schedules, cautioning about potential cancellations if visibility remains poor.
Train Services Hit In & Around Delhi
Train services were similarly affected, with delays reported for departures and arrivals in Delhi, along with modified schedules for some routes. The IMD's Nowcast issued warnings for dense to very dense fog in various regions, including Delhi, Rajasthan (Kota, Bundi, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Churu, Sri Ganganagar, and Tonk), Punjab (Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran and Kapurthala) and Haryana (Kurukshetra, Ambala, Panchkula, and Yamunanagar). Cities like Lucknow, Bengaluru, Amritsar and Guwahati are also expected to experience dense fog on Friday.
In addition to fog, parts of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh are predicted to receive light rain and snowfall. The ongoing cold wave has led to major disruptions, leading the Gautam Buddh Nagar administration to suspend school classes for students up to Grade 8 until further notice. The IMD has forecast a minimum temperature of 8°C for Friday in the region.
A cold day is defined as one where the minimum temperature is below 10°C, and the maximum or minimum temperature is at least 4.5°C lower than the normal range for the period. North India continues to grapple with harsh weather conditions, affecting daily life and travel.
