Dense Fog Disrupts Flights in Delhi and NCR Ahead of New Year
Severe Fog Affects Flight Operations
On Wednesday morning, a thick layer of fog enveloped Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), causing significant disruptions to flight schedules just hours before the New Year. The Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi was operating under Category-III conditions, allowing landings even with minimal visibility. However, airlines warned that delays and cancellations could increase as the morning progressed.
Weather Alerts and Predictions
The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a red alert, indicating that dense fog may persist throughout the day. They also forecast overcast skies and light rain for New Year's Day, providing little immediate relief from the weather conditions.
Airlines Advise Passengers
Airlines have issued advisories urging travelers to check their flight status before heading out. IndiGo mentioned that fog in Delhi and northern India could affect departures and arrivals as the day progresses, advising passengers to allow extra time for road travel.
Air India Cancels Flights
Air India has warned of ongoing delays and has proactively canceled some morning flights affected by the fog to prevent long waits for passengers at the airport.
Air Quality Remains Poor
While travel has been disrupted, air quality has not improved. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at a 'very poor' level of 383 at 7 AM, with several hotspots reaching 'severe' levels. Areas like Anand Vihar reported an AQI of 483, while ITO and Rohini recorded 426, Chandni Chowk 419, and RK Puram 411.
Surrounding Areas Also Affected
Residents in nearby cities struggled with poor air quality as well. Gurugram's AQI was 348, Ghaziabad's was 378, and Noida's reached 391. Faridabad had a slightly better AQI of 276, but it still fell into the 'poor' category.
Future Air Quality Predictions
The Air Quality Early Warning System indicated that pollution levels are expected to reach 'severe' on December 31 and January 1, before slightly improving to 'very poor' on January 2. The air quality is anticipated to remain very poor for at least six days.
Contributing Factors to Poor Air Quality
Officials attributed the severe conditions to weak winds and poor ventilation, which trap pollutants close to the ground. Temperatures are expected to remain around normal for the next 24 hours, with a rise of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius over the next two days, followed by another drop, leaving Delhi-NCR to welcome the New Year in cold, polluted fog.