Dense fog engulfs Delhi-NCR, airlines warn of flight delays, IGI airport switches to CAT III procedures

The National Capital Delhi has been engulfed in dense fog.

• Dense fog and rain disrupt flights and traffic in Delhi and NCR
• IMD issues Orange Alert for fog, rain, and wind chill in the region
• Delhi airport warns of delays as CAT III landing conditions are in effect

Did our AI summary help?

Dense fog engulfed Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) on Monday morning, reducing the visibility in several areas of the city. The low visibility also prompted a warning from Delhi IGI Airport about flight delays.

The current spell of dense fog is reportedly due to a  powerful Western Disturbance brought a combination of dense fog, unseasonal rain, and piercing winds to the region.  The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert, warning residents of significant disruptions to traffic and aviation.

Major transit hubs, including the Indira Gandhi International Airport and several railway stations, reported delays as shallow to moderate fog persisted well past sunrise.

Commuters on the DND Flyway and the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway were advised to use fog lights and maintain low speeds due to the hazardous driving conditions.

The "Orange Alert" comes as the city faces a rare mix of winter elements: Light to moderate rain lashed parts of Central and South Delhi, following a wet Sunday.

Sustained surface winds of 10–20 kmph, with occasional gusts reaching up to 40 kmph, have added a significant "wind chill" factor, making the 13°C minimum temperature feel much colder. Daytime highs are expected to struggle to reach 21°C, nearly four degrees below the seasonal average.

“Flight operations are currently being conducted under CAT III conditions due to dense fog, which may cause delays. Passengers are requested to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight information or visit our official website. Please be assured that our on-ground officials are available across all terminals to provide necessary Support," Delhi airport said in a tweet at 7 AM.

CAT III is the highest category of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) used during low-visibility conditions. It allows pilots to land even when the runway visual range is extremely limited, but it does not guarantee that every aircraft or pilot is authorised to use the system. As a result, some flights cannot land until visibility improves, causing the ripple of delays and cancellations that Delhi witnesses each winter.