Delhi woke up to a blanket of dense fog on Thursday, accompanied by a chilly 7°C minimum temperature and a forecast for light rain later in the day, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD also warned of dense fog persisting in the late night and early morning hours until December 28.
Low Visibility at Delhi Airport
The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport implemented low-visibility procedures on Thursday morning, though flight operations remained unaffected. Passengers were advised to stay updated on flight information by contacting their respective airlines.
A post on social media platform X from the Delhi Airport stated, “Low Visibility Procedures are in progress at Delhi Airport. All flight operations are presently normal.” However, flights not equipped with CAT III compliance—a system enabling landings in low visibility—could face potential disruptions.
Air Quality Worsens
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 372 on Thursday morning, falling into the ‘very poor’ category, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Specific areas such as Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, and Bawana reported similarly troubling AQI levels.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) recently revoked Stage IV ‘Severe’ measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), citing slight improvements. However, Stages I, II, and III remain active to curb further air quality deterioration.
Train Delays Amid Fog
Dense fog conditions also disrupted rail transport, with at least 18 trains heading to Delhi delayed. Among the impacted trains were the Avadh Assam Express, Unchahar Express, Vikramshila Express, and Sampoorna Kranti Express.
Rain and Wind Forecast
Delhi residents can expect partly cloudy skies, with light rain likely in the evening or night. Northeasterly winds with speeds below 4 km/h during the morning hours are predicted, alongside smog and moderate fog across most areas.
As winter intensifies in the capital, authorities continue to monitor air quality and visibility conditions, urging travelers to plan accordingly.
