Dense Fog May Distrupt Flight Operations In Delhi, Warmer Days Ahead

Flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport faced potential disruption due to reduced visibility as temperature declined to 10 degrees Celsius at 5:30 AM in the capital. Notably dense fog blanketed part of the capital on Thursday morning.

According to airport authorities, the runway visibility at IGI ranged between 200 and 500 meters, with overall visibility plummeting to zero around 6 AM. While flights equipped for low-visibility operations managed to land, others faced delays or diversions.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert, cautioning Delhi residents and those in nearby areas like Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurgaon about poor visibility and challenging travel conditions.

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Thursday’s forecast includes partly cloudy skies and surface winds reaching speeds of 10-15 km/h. The day’s maximum temperature is expected to touch 17 degrees Celsius, while the minimum may fall to 8 degrees Celsius.

Over the past week, Delhi has endured a biting cold. New Year’s Day recorded a low of 7.4 degrees Celsius, with the maximum temperature at 15 degrees Celsius, four degrees below normal.

A brief warm spell is likely on January 3 and 4, with maximum temperatures rising to 19-20 degrees Celsius and minimums around 9 degrees Celsius. However, this respite may be short-lived. The IMD predicts heavy rain on January 6, triggered by a western disturbance from Pakistan and Afghanistan. A similar system in late December contributed to the current cold wave.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Air Quality Index (AQI) remained at 241, categorising it as “poor.”

Authorities have urged residents to stay cautious during the dense fog, particularly on the roads, and keep track of potential flight schedule changes caused by adverse weather.