Dense fog shrouds Delhi as cold wave continues, several flights, trains impacted

Dense fog blanketed Delhi on Tuesday leading to reduced visibility and disruptions in flight and train operations in the capital.

On Tuesday, Safdarjung recorded a temperature of 4.8°C at 5:30 am today; 7.2°C at Palam.

Delhi | Safdarjung recorded a temperature of 4.8°C at 5:30 am today; 7.2°C at Palam pic.twitter.com/h3ehy438yr

— ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2024

Several trains & flights running late due to fog

Around 30 flights departing from Delhi airport were delayed due to the fog while 17 others were cancelled, as per airport authorities. Additionally, around 30 trains arriving in Delhi were running behind schedule.

30 trains to Delhi from various parts of the country are running late due to dense fog conditions as on 16th January. pic.twitter.com/v9g14OlFwR

— ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2024

Passengers at the airport and railway stations faced inconvenience as operations were hampered. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported visibility had dropped to 500 meters at Delhi's Palam and Safdarjung airports as of 5:30 am.

IMD report on today’s weather

The IMD's forecast on Monday predicted dense to very dense fog would persist over Delhi, adjoining regions of UP, Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh till Tuesday. It also forecasts the continuation of cold to severe cold wave conditions across North India.

#WATCH | Visibility affected in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh due to dense fog.

(Visuals shot at 7.50 am) pic.twitter.com/lqvAxqv189

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 16, 2024

Delhi recorded the season's lowest minimum temperature on Monday at 3.3 degrees Celsius in Safdarjung and 3.1 degrees Celsius at Lodhi Road meteorological station. The mercury has remained below 4 degrees since last Friday amid an intense cold wave.

#WATCH | Visibility affected in parts of the national capital as a blanket of dense fog covers Delhi.

(Visuals from Dhaula Kuan area, shot at 7.15 am) pic.twitter.com/42Rmbcj2KV

— ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2024

Sunday also saw minimums of 3.5 and 3.4 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung and Lodhi Road respectively. Such low temperatures coupled with dense fog have increased hardship for the homeless and outdoor workers.

Delhi govt announces 200 shelters & blankets distribution

The Delhi government has announced measures such as setting up over 200 shelters and distributing blankets to aid vulnerable groups. However, experts say risks of exposure injuries and ailments remain in these harsh conditions.

The IMD outlook offers little respite, predicting the coldwave will abate only gradually over the next few days. Dense fog during pre-dawn hours is likely to continue posing challenges. Authorities have advised people to limit outdoor exposure and take precautions. With more foggy mornings ahead, flight and train delays are also set to continue as transport networks contend with poor visibility.