A thick layer of fog enveloped Delhi and some parts of North India on Friday, disrupting flight and train services. This prompted Delhi airport authorities on Friday issued an advisory and stated that flights which were not CAT III compliant would get affected.
In Delhi, the minimum temperature at 5:30 am was 9.6 degrees Celsius, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The fog situation is likely to remain in Delhi till January 8, the IMD predicted.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an "Orange Alert" for fog in Delhi-NCR, warning of extremely low visibility.
#WATCH | Visibility affected as a thick blanket of fog descended over Delhi.
— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2025
Visuals from Dwarka Expressway. pic.twitter.com/xPwjWHmDZe
#WATCH | Visibility affected as a thick blanket of fog descended over Delhi.
— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2025
Visuals from AIIMS and Safdarjung. pic.twitter.com/e9cSEHxiAw
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city was recorded as 348 at the 'very poor' category. The Central Pollution Control Board also pegged the AQI index at Lodhi Road station is 309.
Many residents were seen huddling around bonfires or seeking warmth in night shelters. The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) set up 235 pagoda tents to provide shelter to homeless people. Night shelters have been set up in several areas of the national capital, including AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and Nizamuddin flyover.
Flights affected
According to Flightradar24, flights of several airlines, including SpiceJet, IndiGo and Air India, were affected. An average delay of five minutes for arriving flights and 11 minutes for departing flights was recorded at the Delhi airport.
Meanwhile, SpiceJet said all flights to and from Amritsar and Guwahati were affected due to bad weather. IndiGo issued a travel advisory, especially on Delhi, Amritsar, Lucknow, Bengaluru and Guwahati routes. It also warned that flights may be cancelled if visibility remains poor.
The Delhi airport authorities on Friday issued an advisory and stated that flights which were not CAT III compliant would get affected. "While landing and take offs 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," the post by Delhi airport read.
Meanwhile, trains to and from Delhi were also running late.
