Adverse weather conditions, including dense fog, have severely impacted transportation and daily life in Delhi-NCR. Over 100 flights were affected on Thursday, and the fog disrupted rail and road traffic. The mercury dropped to 8.4 degrees Celsius, just slightly above the seasonal average.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert, cautioning residents about the harsh weather conditions and emphasizing the need for precautionary measures due to significantly reduced visibility in various parts of the city. Palam reported a mere 25 meters of visibility at 5:30 a.m., while Safdarjung station recorded 50 meters.
The IMD classifies fog intensity into four types: shallow, moderate, dense, and very dense fog. The latter ranges from 999 meters to 500 meters, posing a significant challenge to transportation and causing delays in air and rail travel. Several flights were delayed or canceled, affecting passengers' travel plans, and train schedules were disrupted, inconveniencing commuters relying on rail transport.
Railways reported delays in 22 trains, including the Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, Jammu Tawi - New Delhi Rajdhani Express, Tamil Nadu Express, Golden Temple Mail, and others. Poor visibility resulted in delays ranging from a few hours to over nine hours for certain trains.
Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport experienced disruptions with over 100 flights (domestic and international) affected. The IMD advised the public to exercise caution, especially while driving, and recommended the use of fog lights.
The air quality in the national capital was also adversely affected, entering the 'very poor' category. Anand Vihar recorded PM 2.5 at 346 and PM 10 at 236, while the AQI at the IGI airport and ITO station was in the 'poor' and 'very poor' categories, respectively.
As the challenging weather conditions persist, residents and travelers are urged to stay informed about transportation schedules, exercise caution, and be prepared for potential delays and disruptions.
(With Agency Inputs)
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