Delhi Chokes Under Dense Fog, Disrupting Flights and Trains
Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) awoke to a blanket of thick fog on Wednesday morning, causing significant disruptions to air and rail travel. Zero or near-zero visibility led to flight cancellations and delays, affecting hundreds of passengers. Major airlines issued advisories, urging travelers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
Airlines Respond to Fog-Related Disruptions
Several airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, proactively informed passengers about potential delays and cancellations. These advisories were disseminated through various channels, including social media platforms, official websites, and mobile applications. Passengers were advised to check the airlines’ websites for updated information on their flight status and to explore alternate flight options or claim refunds for cancelled flights.
Impact on Air Travel
The dense fog resulted in the delay or cancellation of over 100 flights at the Delhi Airport. Flightradar24.com reported substantial disruptions to air travel throughout the day. While the airport maintains CAT-III landing facilities, ensuring operations under low visibility conditions, many flights that are not CAT III compliant faced delays or cancellations.
Delays Impact Train Travel
The impact of the fog extended to the railway system, with more than two dozen trains experiencing delays. Reduced visibility created difficulties for train operations, resulting in disruptions for commuters and affecting the schedules of both long-distance and local train routes.
Weather Forecast and Official Updates
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert warning for cold wave conditions, forecasting light rain or drizzle and continued fog throughout the day. This weather advisory was active until January 18th. The minimum temperature was anticipated to remain around 9 degrees Celsius, with a maximum temperature of around 19 degrees Celsius. Airport authorities provided regular updates on flight operations, assuring passengers that operations were resuming gradually as weather conditions improved.
Planning Your Travel During Fog
The situation highlights the importance of checking weather forecasts and flight status updates before embarking on journeys during periods of dense fog. Airlines and other transportation authorities offered detailed support and guidance to assist passengers. Travelers are advised to be prepared for potential delays and exercise extra patience and flexibility while traveling under such conditions.
Overall Impact and Recovery
The thick fog caused a substantial disruption to the transportation networks in Delhi and NCR. While the impact on flight operations and train services has been significant, the situation is gradually returning to normal as the weather improves. The coordinated efforts of airlines and airport authorities played a key role in minimizing the adverse effects on passengers.
