Heavy fog blanketing northern parts of India on Thursday caused significant disruption to air travel, leading to the diversion of three incoming flights to Kolkata and the cancellation of another service. The poor visibility, primarily affecting destinations in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, left passengers stranded and schedules in disarray.
Multiple Diversions as Fog Grounds North Indian Airports
The chaos began in the morning when a Sky Ankor flight from Cambodia, destined for Gaya, was forced to land at Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at 10.25 am. The diversion was a direct result of dense fog severely reducing visibility over north Bihar. This was followed by a Thai Airways flight, also heading to Gaya, being diverted to Kolkata at 2 pm due to the same challenging weather conditions over the region.
Later in the evening, domestic operations were also hit. An IndiGo Airlines flight operating from Chennai to Varanasi had to be rerouted to Kolkata around 9.10 pm. The disruptions were not limited to diversions. A separate IndiGo Airlines flight scheduled to depart from Varanasi at 5.20 pm and arrive in Kolkata at 6.40 pm was outright cancelled due to the persistent poor visibility.
Pilgrims Among Affected Passengers
The impact of these disruptions was felt by a diverse group of travelers. Notably, several passengers aboard both the Sky Ankor and Thai Airways flights were Buddhist pilgrims traveling to Gaya, a major pilgrimage site. The unexpected diversion to Kolkata likely caused considerable inconvenience to their travel plans and religious itinerary.
Weather Warning for Coming Days
The situation may not improve immediately for air travelers. Meteorological authorities have issued a heavy fog warning for the north Indian belt over the next three days. This advisory suggests that flight schedules to and from several cities in the region could face further delays, diversions, and cancellations. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for real-time updates before heading to airports.
The series of incidents on Thursday highlights how severe weather, particularly during the winter months, continues to be a major challenge for aviation operations in northern India, affecting both international and domestic connectivity.
