Delhi Fog Disrupts Travel; Rain, Thunderstorms Expected Next Week

Delhi:  Delhi woke up to a foggy morning on Saturday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting "very dense fog" for the city. The cold wave continues to grip the region, causing visibility issues that disrupted travel plans. At least 47 trains headed to the capital were delayed, and flights at the Indira Gandhi International Airport faced delays.

The city's temperature was recorded at 11°C around 7:30 AM, with the day's minimum expected to settle at 7°C and the maximum at 19°C. The fog is likely to persist for three more days, with rain or thunderstorms anticipated on January 22-23.

Delhi's air quality improved slightly, with an AQI of 248 at 8 AM, falling in the "Very Poor" category. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) lifted Stage III GRAP restrictions, citing favorable weather and strong wind speeds.

Dense fog impacted visibility across North India, with regions in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh reporting similar conditions. Himachal Pradesh also experienced light to moderate snowfall and rain, with temperatures ranging from 1°C to 5°C in many areas.

The IMD predicts cold wave conditions in isolated parts of Himachal Pradesh until January 19 and dense fog in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and East Rajasthan through January 18-19. A gradual temperature increase of 2-3°C is expected after 48 hours.

Stay prepared for continued cold and foggy conditions before relief arrives with rain early next week.