New Delhi – A thick blanket of Delhi fog continued to shroud the capital and its surrounding areas in the early hours of Sunday, severely impacting visibility and causing significant disruptions to transportation services. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the possibility of rain toward the end of the coming week, potentially providing relief from the persistent foggy conditions.
The Delhi fog situation reached critical levels with Safdarjung recording zero visibility for nearly six hours, between 2.30am and 8.30am on Sunday. This extended period of zero visibility represents one of the most severe fog episodes experienced by the capital this winter season.
Zero Visibility Conditions Persist
According to meteorological observations, the Delhi fog caused visibility at Palam to dip to just 100 metres around 7.30am, creating hazardous conditions for commuters and travelers. The dense fog layer that enveloped the city demonstrated the intensity of the current weather pattern affecting the National Capital Region.
For Monday, IMD has issued a “yellow alert” for dense Delhi fog in isolated pockets of the city, warning residents and authorities to prepare for continued challenging visibility conditions. This alert system helps citizens take necessary precautions during adverse weather conditions.
Transportation Disruptions
The severe Delhi fog conditions led to significant disruptions in air and rail transportation throughout Sunday. While no flights were cancelled or diverted at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, more than 500 flights experienced delays through the day.
According to data from flight tracking systems, the Delhi fog caused an average delay of approximately 34 minutes across affected flights. Northern Railways also reported delays to several trains during the early morning hours, impacting passengers’ travel schedules and creating inconvenience for commuters.
Temperature Trends
Despite the persistent Delhi fog, the city’s minimum temperature on Sunday was recorded at 5.3°C, about two degrees below normal but 0.9°C higher than Saturday’s minimum. This slight increase indicates a gradual warming trend as cold wave conditions abated across the region on Saturday.
Forecasts suggest that minimum temperatures will continue rising despite the Delhi fog, with readings likely to hover between 7°C and 9°C on Monday. This upward temperature trend coincides with changing wind patterns and approaching weather systems.
Rain Forecast Brings Hope
The weather agency has forecast “light rain” in the Capital on January 23, potentially breaking what has been largely a dry and cold winter spell. This precipitation could help disperse the persistent Delhi fog and improve air quality conditions in the region.
Meteorologists explained that although fresh snowfall is expected in the western Himalayan region on January 22, temperatures in areas affected by Delhi fog are unlikely to dip to the levels seen last week. The Capital’s lowest minimum last week was 3°C at Safdarjung, making it the coldest morning in three years.
Western Disturbance Impact
“A series of western disturbances is now expected and winds have already turned easterly. An active western disturbance is likely to bring rain to Delhi-NCR beginning the night of January 22 and continuing into January 23,” said Mahesh Palawat, vice-president (meteorology and climate change) at Skymet Weather.
This weather system could significantly impact the Delhi fog conditions, potentially clearing the atmosphere and bringing much-needed precipitation. Some pockets may even record moderate showers, according to meteorological predictions.
Fresh Snowfall in Hills
Palawat added that fresh snowfall is expected in the Himalayan hills, which typically influences weather patterns in the plains. The interaction between these hill systems and the Delhi fog conditions creates complex meteorological scenarios that require careful monitoring.
The meteorologist noted that minimum temperatures could dip again after the passage of this western disturbance, but another system is expected around January 26, preventing sustained cold conditions.
Temperature Recovery Ahead
“A significant dip in temperatures is likely only towards the end of the month, and even then, it may only fall to around 4-5°C in Delhi. The worst of the winter is over,” Palawat stated, offering reassurance to residents dealing with the Delhi fog and cold conditions.
Delhi’s maximum temperature on Sunday stood at 22.7°C, about three degrees above normal, indicating relatively mild daytime conditions despite the morning Delhi fog. The maximum temperature is forecast to remain mild on Monday, hovering between 24°C and 26°C.
Extended Forecast
Until January 24, maximum temperatures are expected to stay above 20°C, with no cold-day conditions likely in the region, according to weather officials. This relatively warm daytime trend contrasts with the persistent morning Delhi fog that continues to challenge commuters.
The gradual warming trend, combined with approaching western disturbances, suggests that the intensity of Delhi fog may decrease in the coming days. However, residents should remain prepared for continued foggy mornings until the weather systems bring the predicted rainfall.
Safety Precautions
Authorities advise residents to exercise caution while traveling during Delhi fog conditions, particularly during early morning hours when visibility remains severely compromised. Drivers should use fog lights, maintain safe distances, and reduce speeds when navigating through dense fog patches.
The IMD continues monitoring the situation closely, providing regular updates to help citizens and authorities manage the challenges posed by persistent Delhi fog conditions. As the week progresses, the anticipated rainfall should provide relief and improve overall visibility across the National Capital Region.
