Thick fog blankets parts of Delhi on Thursday as the temperature drops to 7.6 degrees Celsius. Due to this,authorities at the Delhi airport said that flight operations were likely to be affected.
Visibility on the runway at IGI Airport ranges from 200 to 500 meters, while general visibility at the airport dropped to zero at 6 a.m. Operations to land flights under low visibility conditions are currently in progress, according to airport authorities.
FlightRadar24 reports that at least 80 flights have been delayed, with the average delay lasting 13 minutes. Additionally, five flights have been cancelled so far.
Yellow Alert Announced
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Delhi due to dense fog, severely impacting visibility across the city and causing disruptions to flight schedules. Authorities are advising travelers to double-check their flight statuses before heading to the airport and to allow additional time for their journeys.
The IMD has forecast that Delhi will experience moderate fog in most areas, with dense fog in isolated pockets. Winds are expected to remain light, reaching speeds of up to 15 km/h. The temperature is predicted to range between 8°C and 17°C.
The IMD has predicted above-normal temperatures for Delhi and its neighboring regions throughout January, with no cold wave conditions expected. During a monthly weather outlook briefing, Director General of Meteorology Mrutyunjay Mohapatra noted that while the first week of January will be relatively cooler, temperatures are likely to rise as the month progresses.
On Wednesday, Delhi’s Safdarjung weather station recorded a minimum temperature of 7.4°C, slightly above the normal range, marking a drop from the previous day’s low of 9.2°C. The city experienced north-westerly winds with speeds of 12 km/h in the afternoon and evening. Despite this, Delhi officially recorded a “cold day” as the minimum temperature dipped below 10.1°C, and the maximum temperature deviated by more than 4.5°C from normal levels.
The dense fog has disrupted air traffic and caused delays on major highways, with commuters facing longer travel times. Experts are advising caution while driving, especially during early mornings and late evenings when visibility is at its lowest.
