Delhi experienced severe disruptions on January 4, 2025, as dense fog blanketed the city, affecting both air and rail travel. At least 19 flights were diverted and over 200 flights were delayed at Indira Gandhi International Airport due to near-zero visibility. India’s largest carrier, IndiGo, temporarily halted both arrivals and departures early in the morning.
Between 12:15 am and 1:30 am, low visibility forced authorities to reroute 19 flights, causing significant disruptions at the airport. The fog, which persisted for the second consecutive morning, caused visibility to drop to zero at several locations across the city, leading to delays for 81 trains. The dense fog delayed the Varanasi Vande Bharat Express for 14 hours and the New Delhi Vande Bharat Express for over four hours.
This was the second day of intense fog, which had already caused over 400 flight delays the previous day. Operations at the airport continued, but aircraft not compliant with the CAT III system, which allows for operations in low visibility, faced considerable challenges.
In addition to travel disruptions, the Central Pollution Control Board reported that Delhi’s air quality worsened to a “very bad” category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting 383. Residents of Delhi woke up to a chilly morning with temperatures around 7°C, further exacerbating the fog conditions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert, warning that fog and rain will continue, with heavy rainfall forecasted for January 6. The thick fog caused zero visibility starting from 11:30 pm on Friday at Palam and 12:30 am at Safdarjung, affecting travel at key locations, including the airport.
As temperatures dropped, many Delhi residents sought warmth around bonfires or in night shelters. Authorities have urged citizens to take health precautions due to the severe air pollution and limited visibility.
This ongoing weather event has left both residents and travelers in the national capital grappling with difficult conditions as they navigate the dense fog and poor air quality.
