Dense Fog, Cold Wave Disrupt Life In Delhi; Flights Hit, Air Quality Poor

New Delhi: Delhi woke up to thick fog on Tuesday, with the average AQI standing at 288, making early morning visibility very low and complicating travel across the city. The dense fog comes as a strong cold wave grips North India, pushing temperatures down and keeping the air chilled and damp. 

The National Capital saw visibility drop sharply, especially around the Indira Gandhi International Airport area. Morning commuters struggled to see clearly, and many parts of the city remained wrapped in fog for hours after sunrise. 

How Are Flights and Travel Affected?

The bad weather has hit air travel hard. Several flights at Delhi Airport have been delayed, cancelled, or diverted due to poor visibility. Passengers were advised to check flight statuses before heading to the airport as conditions remained unpredictable.

With low visibility impacting operations, the Delhi Airport issued an advisory at 6 am, stating, "Flight operations continue to be in CAT III. Both arrivals and departures are taking place, though some flights may experience delays or disruptions. Passengers are requested to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight information."

Passenger Advisory issued at 06:00 hrs.

Please click on this link for real-time winter travel updates:https://t.co/KkKldKUlLQ#DelhiAirport #PassengerAdvisory #DELAdvisory pic.twitter.com/4Ode5M2Tol

— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) January 6, 2026

In a dramatic example of the impact, on Sunday a Lucknow-bound Air India Express flight had to circle near Delhi for nearly three hours because pilots could not land in zero visibility conditions. The aircraft eventually returned without landing. 

Beyond the skies, highways and roads saw slow traffic in early hours, with drivers moving carefully through the fog.

Is the Air Quality Better or Worse?

Despite a slight breeze on some days that brought modest relief, air quality in Delhi remains in the poor category. Pollutants are trapped near the ground by calm winds and cold conditions, making the air heavy and unhealthy, especially for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory issues.

In its latest weather bulletin, the IMD said, "Dense fog conditions very likely to continue during morning hours over northwest, central, east and northeast India during next 4-5 days." 

Officials warn that the air quality could bounce between poor and very poor in the coming days as the cold wave persists. 

What's Causing This Situation?

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) says that cold dry winds from the Himalayas are sweeping across the plains, keeping temperatures low and humidity high. These conditions make fog more likely and slow the dispersion of pollutants.

The north-west winds expected later in the day might help clear the smog temporarily, but forecasters say the cold wave conditions will continue through the week with chilly mornings and foggy starts.