Despite a thick blanket of dense fog enveloping the national capital on Monday, flight operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) continued to function smoothly. The airport authorities issued an advisory confirming that all flights were operating normally, even as Low Visibility Procedures remained in effect.
Airport Operations and Passenger Advisory
The Delhi airport's passenger advisory on Monday provided a clear update amidst the challenging weather conditions. It stated that all flight operations were functioning normally despite the persistent fog. However, the airport emphasized that passengers should directly contact their respective airlines for the most current information regarding their flights. This advisory came a day after severe disruptions, where 107 flights were cancelled and approximately 500 faced delays at IGI Airport on Sunday due to moderate fog.
Widespread Travel Disruption Across North India
The impact of the fog was not limited to Delhi alone or just to air travel. Several other airports across north India reported similar disruptions over the weekend. Rail services were also significantly affected. Multiple trains were rescheduled because of poor visibility, with visuals from New Delhi Railway Station showing platforms shrouded in thick fog. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a yellow alert for the city, warning of moderate fog in most parts and dense fog in isolated areas during the early hours of Monday. The forecast predicts that moderate to shallow fog conditions will persist from Tuesday through Thursday.
Air Quality and Temperature Conditions
In a minor relief, the city witnessed a slight improvement in its air quality on Monday morning. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 366 around 8 am, though it remains in the 'very poor' category. On the temperature front, the IMD's earlier prediction of 'cold day' conditions in some parts of Delhi did not materialize on Sunday, as no weather station met the required criteria. For a 'cold day' to be declared in Delhi, the minimum temperature must drop below 10°C, and the maximum temperature must deviate from the normal by 4.5°C or more. Such conditions were last recorded on Saturday at the Safdarjung (16.9°C) and Palam (16.3°C) observatories.
The ongoing fog season continues to test the resilience of Delhi's transport infrastructure, with authorities urging travelers to stay updated through official channels to navigate the delays and cancellations efficiently.
