Dense fog alert: Zero visibility fog disrupts flights, trains, and traffic in Delhi |

On Friday, a dense layer of fog engulfed Delhi and the surrounding areas, which severely hampered road, rail, and aviation travel. As per the reports, in certain places, the thick fog made it impossible to see. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert. The chilly wave still engulfing North India is making things more difficult for commuters and tourists.

Impact on air travel

There were major disruptions to flight operations at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi. Several flights were canceled and more than 100 were delayed as visibility fell to zero. Some flights, reportedly, had to be delayed or diverted, but those that adhered to CAT III technology continued to operate. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) advised travellers to plan ahead for additional time and keep a tab on flight schedules.
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IndiGo Airlines also issued similar advice, and urged travellers to check flight statuses and factor in extra time for their trip because of the fog and delayed traffic. The magnitude of the interruption can be demonstrated by the 1,300 flight movements that IGI Airport handles on average each day.

Train services delayed

Rail travel was equally impacted, with over 20 trains arriving in Delhi running late by 7–8 hours. Long-distance services like the Telangana Express, Lucknow Mail, and Humsafar Express were among the affected. Passengers faced delays as dense fog enveloped railway tracks, further slowing operations.

Road traffic

A multi-vehicle collision happened on the Delhi-Lucknow Highway near Bahadurgarh in the Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh as a result of poor visibility. A temporary barrier was created and other people suffered minor injuries as a result of the pile-up involving six vehicles. Following the event, police and rescue personnel were able to evacuate the route.
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Deteriorating air quality

Adding to the challenges, Delhi’s air quality plummeted to the “severe” category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 409. This marked a sharp increase from 299 the previous day. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 3 curbs were re-implemented in Delhi-NCR to address rising pollution levels.

Winter chill and weather warnings

A rainy week is predicted by the IMD, with isolated hailstorms and thunderstorms predicted in areas of North India, including Delhi-NCR. Temperatures dropped sharply, with Rajasthan getting close to freezing and Kashmir reaching below-freezing temperatures. A yellow alert was issued by Himachal Pradesh due to heavy fog and ground frost in a number of districts.
The severe weather conditions underscore the ongoing challenges of winter in North India, affecting daily life and travel.

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