Dense fog reduces visibility in Delhi; 81 trains delayed, 15 flights diverted

More than 50 trains were running late across major railway junctions in the national capital

Flight and train operations were affected in Delhi on Saturday early morning due to dense fog and IndiGo has temporarily put departures and arrivals on hold.

Visibility reduced to zero in several areas leading to 81 trains running late and diversion of 15 flights.

The Met office said there was zero visibility since 11:30 pm on Friday at Palam and 12:30 am on Saturday at Safdarjung. The fog was accompanied by mainly calm surface winds that prevented it from dissipating.

At 7 am, general visibility at the Indira Gandhi International Airport was zero in very dense fog. The Runway Visual Range (RVR) at its runways was in the range of 100-250 metres, with CAT III conditions.

Such very dense fog in zero visibility with CAT III conditions at the airport has been prevailing since 11:30 pm on Friday, the Met said.

Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), in a post on X at 12.05 am, said that due to dense fog, flight operations have been affected at the airport.

#WATCH | Delhi | Visibility in the national capital is affected as a layer of dense fog engulfs the cityVisuals from Sarojini Nagar pic.twitter.com/EtzWu2fOBZ

ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2025

"Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted," it said. Airport authorities said that more than 150 flights were delayed and over 30 were cancelled due to the weather conditions.

"#6ETravelAdvisory: Departures and arrivals at #DelhiAirport are currently on hold due to reduced visibility," IndiGo said in a post on X at 1.05 am.

The airline also said that once operations resume, flights may still encounter delays due to airside congestion.

Air India, in an update on X at 1.16 am, said poor visibility due to dense fog is affecting flight operations in Delhi and parts of northern India.

On Friday, more than 400 flights were delayed due to bad weather conditions at the airport.

Meanwhile, more than 50 trains were running late across major railway junctions in the national capital, including New Delhi Railway Station, Anand Vihar Terminus, and Hazrat Nizamuddin Station.

#WATCH | Delhi: Several trains delayed at New Delhi railway station due to fog as cold waves grip the city.(Visuals from New Delhi Railway station) pic.twitter.com/KK8stezodC ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2025

Several trains such as the Howrah-New Delhi Duronto Express, Mahabodhi Express, Lucknow Mail, and Kathgodam Express, faced major delays upon arrival in the national capital due to prevailing weather conditions.

In a related development, air quality in the national capital was in the 'very poor' category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 380 at 9 am, according to Central Pollution Control Board data.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

The minimum temperature settled at 7.8 degrees Celsius, a notch above normal.

The Met office has predicted dense to very dense fog during the day. The maximum temperature is likely to settle around 21 degrees Celsius.