Delhi wakes up to dense fog and cold wave, several flights and trains disrupted

Delhi woke up to a thick blanket of fog on Saturday morning as a cold wave gripped the city. Dense fog caused low visibility at Delhi airport early Saturday, leading to the diversion of 19 flights and delay of 81 trains for the second consecutive day, as per PTI. Many flights faced delays, and India's largest airline, IndiGo, temporarily suspended arrivals and departures due to the weather conditions.

Between 12:15 am and 1:30 am, 15 flights were diverted as a result of reduced visibility. The Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) noted in a post on X at 6:56 am, "While landing and takeoffs continue at Delhi Airport, flights not CAT III compliant may be affected. Passengers are advised to check with their airline for updated flight information. We apologize for any inconvenience."

IndiGo took to X to inform passengers that Delhi is still facing significantly reduced visibility due to thick fog, affecting flight schedules. The airline advised customers to check their flight status before heading to the airport and to allow extra time for travel, as the low visibility is also causing slow traffic on the roads.

Parts of Delhi were shrouded in dense fog with visibility dropping to zero in several areas. The thick fog created a near-whiteout condition, severely disrupting travel and daily activities.

According to the India Meteorological Department, Delhi recorded 10.2 degrees Celsius at 5.30 am on Saturday. At this time yesterday, the city's temperature was 9.6 degrees Celsius.



Meanwhile, the air quality in the national capital continued in the 'very poor' category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the AQI was recorded at 385 in Delhi today at 6 am. Yesterday at the same time it was 348.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good,' 51 and 100 'satisfactory,' 101 and 200 'moderate,' 201 and 300 'poor,' 301 and 400 'very poor,' and 401 and 500 'severe.'

As the temperature dipped, a night shelter on Lodhi Road was seen with all its beds occupied.

The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has also set up 235 pagoda tents to provide shelter to homeless people. Night shelters have been set up in several areas of the national capital, including AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and Nizamuddin flyover.

In response to the chilly weather, residents of the capital were seen gathering around bonfires, while others took shelter in night homes as temperatures continued to drop.

Many North Indian states also experienced similar weather on Saturday morning with dense layers of fog and cold waves.

In Uttar Pradesh's capital Lucknow, the temperature was recorded at 11.4 degrees Celsius at 5.30 am Saturday. Mainpuri city in the state was seen being blanketed with a dense layer of fog.

Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh's capital Shimla experienced an unusual weather phenomenon on Thursday as the city recorded its highest-ever daytime temperature for January at 21.6°C. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this surpassed the previous record of 21.4°C, noted on January 30, 2006, making it the second-highest January temperature in the region's history.

According to the IMD, light to moderate rain and snowfall are expected in Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur. Rain and snowfall are expected in the central Himalayan region on January 6. There is a possibility of rain and thundershowers in the plains adjoining Punjab and Haryana on January 6.

Jammu and Kashmir's capital recorded -0.6 degrees Celsius at 5.30 am on Saturday.

With inputs from ANI