A thick blanket of fog descended upon Delhi and its surrounding areas on Friday morning, enveloping the city in a chilly embrace. The temperature plummeted to a nipping 5.4 degrees Celsius, sending shivers down spines and adding an extra layer of discomfort to the already damp chill.#WATCH | Delhi: Coldwave and dense fog engulfs the National Capital(Visuals from Shanti Path shot at 7 am) pic.twitter.com/MQXzVOOBDT— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2024Visibility Zero at IGI AirportThe dense fog cover caused visibility levels at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport to plummet to a disconcerting zero.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Indira Gandhi International Airport reported zero visibility due to very dense fog conditions, however, there has not been any major impact on the flight operations, as per media reports. This prompted Delhi airport authorities to issue an advisory urging passengers to exercise caution and contact their respective airlines for updated flight information before heading to the airport. Low Visibility Procedures are in progress at Delhi Airport. All flight operations are presently normal. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information, authorities said.Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information, they added. CAT III: Landing in the blindThe use of CAT III or Category III instrument landing systems (ILS) at Delhi Airport played a crucial role in maintaining normalcy. This advanced technology allows aircraft to land safely even in conditions of low visibility, a true lifesaver amidst the swirling fog.While landing and takeoffs continue at Delhi Airport, flights that are not CAT III compliant may get affected. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted, they added.However, the authorities acknowledged that flights that are not CAT III compliant may get affected, reiterating the importance of staying informed about individual flights. A city cloaked in fogThe fog wasnt confined to the airport. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported visibility dipping to zero at Palam airport at 7:30 am, painting a picture of a city shrouded in an ethereal mist.Delhis Safdarjung Airport (VIDD) also reported a mere 200 meters of visibility at the same time, a testament to the pervasiveness of the fog.#WATCH | Cold wave conditions continue in Delhi, thick layer of fog engulfs national capital(Visuals from Geeta Colony Road and Vikas Marg, shot at 6:40 am) pic.twitter.com/VgCcz2boco— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2024A reminder of winters biteWhile Delhi received a bit of sunlight on Thursday, the temperatures continued to remain down as chilly winds blew throughout the city.Delhi and the northern part of India have been experiencing Cold-day to severe cold-day conditions since December 30-31 While the fog may have disrupted travel plans for some and added a layer of inconvenience to the morning commute, it also served as a stark reminder of winters chilly grip.As the sun struggles to pierce the dense veil of mist, Delhiites brace themselves for a few more weeks of shivering temperatures and foggy mornings.
