Delhi Engulfed in Dense Fog: Over 200 Flights Delayed, Visibility Near Zero

Delhi-NCR : A thick blanket of fog wreaked havoc in Delhi and its neighboring states, disrupting air travel and daily life on Friday. Over 200 flights were delayed, and 10 canceled at Delhi's IGI Airport due to nearly zero visibility. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported zero visibility at airports in Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, with Delhi’s Palam Airport recording visibility as low as 50 meters at 7:30 am.

Key Impacts:

• Flight Delays: 217 flights were delayed at IGI Airport; 149 faced an average delay of 25 minutes by 10 am. CAT III compliant flights managed to operate amid reduced visibility.

• Passenger Advisory: Delhi Airport's official X account advised passengers to contact airlines for updates, cautioning against potential inconveniences.

• Cold Snap: Delhi’s minimum temperature dropped to 8.8°C, accompanied by an AQI improvement to 294 (poor category).

The IMD issued an orange alert for Delhi, predicting dense to very dense fog. Satellite imagery revealed widespread fog covering Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. IMD warns of disruptions on airports, highways, and railway routes.

Passengers are advised to check flight schedules before heading out and stay updated on traffic conditions amid low visibility.