“Widespread Fog Causes 30 Flight Delays in Delhi, Passengers Notified”
Flights arriving at and departing from Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi faced delays on Tuesday morning due to dense fog covering the Delhi-NCR region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a significant temperature drop, with the national capital experiencing nearly 7 degrees Celsius. Approximately 30 flights, including international ones, at Delhi airport encountered delays in both arrivals and departures. The Flight Information Display System data on Tuesday morning indicated disruptions, and there were concerns that more flights could be impacted throughout the day.
A passenger advisory from Delhi airport emphasized the potential effect on flights not compliant with CAT III standards, stating, “While landings and takeoffs are ongoing at Delhi Airport, non-CAT III compliant flights may face disruptions. Passengers are urged to check with the respective airline for the latest flight information.”
The foggy weather in northern India led to delays in the arrival of 14 trains. To address the challenge of low runway visibility, Delhi airport implemented the CAT-III (Category III) Instrument Landing System, aiding aircraft landings in foggy conditions.
Iconic locations in Delhi, including India Gate, Sarai Kale Khan, AIIMS, Safdarjung, and Anand Vihar, were enveloped in dense fog in the morning. Residents sought refuge in night shelters as the cold wave intensified. The fog’s impact extended across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, with Moradabad and Kanpur experiencing nearly zero visibility, disrupting daily life.
Satellite images from the IMD illustrated the widespread reach of the fog. In response to the challenging conditions, people gathered around bonfires along roads and lanes to combat the intense cold.
The IMD issued a health warning regarding the dense fog in the national capital. The release highlighted the presence of particulate matter and pollutants in dense fog, which, when exposed, can lodge in the lungs, leading to decreased lung function and increased instances of wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
