New Delhi: Moderate to dense fog has enveloped parts of Delhi and its neighboring regions, leading to significant disruptions in air and rail travel. On Saturday, the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) issued multiple advisories throughout the night, urging passengers to check with their respective airlines for updates on flight statuses.Visibility Challenges PersistThe IGI airport reported that despite implementing low visibility procedures, flight operations remained unaffected as of Friday morning. However, the fog has drastically reduced visibility in various areas, including Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Noida. This resulted in over 100 flight delays and several train disruptions on Friday alone. The airports latest advisory emphasized the importance of passengers staying informed about their flight statuses, particularly for those traveling on flights that do not comply with CAT III standards, which are designed for low visibility operations.Air Quality ConcernsThe dense fog coincided with a sharp decline in air quality across Delhi, reaching severe levels on Friday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) soared above 400 in the early morning hours before settling at 397 by 4 PM. The deteriorating air quality has raised alarms among health officials and prompted the reimposition of stage 3 anti-pollution measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).Weather Forecast and ImplicationsAccording to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 17.6 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 6 degrees Celsius on Friday, both slightly below normal. The IMD has forecasted cloudy skies with light rain and thunderstorms over the weekend, which may further complicate travel conditions due to persistent fog.Fogs Impact Beyond DelhiThe effects of the fog were not confined to Delhi alone other northern states such as Punjab and Haryana also experienced severe visibility issues. Reports indicated zero visibility in Amritsar and significant disruptions in cities like Ludhiana and Chandigarh. The hazardous conditions led to multiple accidents on highways, including a collision involving seven vehicles in Hapur and a tragic incident in Sultanpur where two individuals lost their lives.
