The IMD had earlier forecasted a minimum temperature of 6°C and a maximum of 20°C for Friday, with the presence of “very dense fog.”
Travel chaos: Flights and trains affected
The severe fog disrupted operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), prompting an advisory for passengers. Flights compliant with CAT III technology, designed for low-visibility conditions, were able to land and depart.
CAT III, or Category III Instrument Landing System, allows flight operations during extreme low-visibility conditions.
However, over 100 flights faced delays, according to flight-tracking service Flightradar.com. Passengers were urged to check with their airlines for updated schedules.
IndiGo Airlines advised commuters to allow extra travel time due to slow traffic caused by the fog. “Dense fog has impacted flight departures,” Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) stated in a post on X, expressing regret for the inconvenience.
The fog also disrupted train services, causing delays at major stations, including New Delhi Railway Station, Anand Vihar Terminus, and Hazrat Nizamuddin Station, leaving passengers stranded in the cold.
Alarming air quality
Adding to Delhi’s woes, air quality plummeted into the ‘severe’ category, with the Central Pollution Control Board reporting an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 409 at 7 a.m., a sharp increase from Thursday’s AQI of 299.
An AQI reading between 401 and 500 is categorised as ‘severe,’ posing serious health risks to the public, particularly children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Citizens brace for another frosty day
With no immediate respite from the cold, Delhiites are advised to prepare for chilly weather and plan travel cautiously. The IMD predicts that the cold wave and dense fog conditions may persist, urging residents to take precautions to stay safe.
