New Delhi: A thick blanket of dense fog enveloped the national capital early Saturday morning, severely disrupting flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA).

Dense fog continued to blanket Delhi for a second consecutive morning, significantly reducing visibility to zero in several areas. As a result, 81 trains were delayed, and 15 flights were diverted, officials reported on Saturday.

According to the Met office, zero visibility was recorded at Palam at 11:30 pm on Friday and at Safdarjung at 12:30 am on Saturday. The fog was accompanied by calm surface winds, which prevented it from dissipating. At 7 am, general visibility at Indira Gandhi International Airport was zero due to very dense fog. The Runway Visual Range (RVR) at the airport's runways was reported to be between 100-250 meters, with CAT III conditions. These conditions have been in place since 11:30 pm on Friday.

Despite the low visibility, flights at Delhi airport continued to operate, though those not compliant with CAT III conditions were expected to face disruptions. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) urged passengers to check with their airlines for the latest updates on flight schedules.

In the railway sector, Northern Railway officials confirmed that 59 trains were running late by up to six hours, and 22 trains were delayed by around eight hours.

The air quality in Delhi also remained a concern, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reading 380 at 9 am, placing it in the 'very poor' category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board. The AQI scale indicates that values between 301 and 400 are considered 'very poor.'

The minimum temperature recorded in Delhi was 7.8 degrees Celsius, slightly above normal for the season. The Met office has forecast dense to very dense fog throughout the day, with the maximum temperature expected to reach around 21 degrees Celsius.

The Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), in a post on X (formerly Twitter) confirmed that flight operations were being impacted by the reduced visibility caused by the fog. DIAL urged passengers to contact their respective airlines for real-time updates on flight schedules, apologizing for the inconvenience caused. This disruption comes on the heels of a similar situation on Friday, when over 400 flights were delayed due to adverse weather conditions at the airport.

The IGIA, one of the busiest airports in the country, is equipped with advanced Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) to facilitate operations in low-visibility conditions. However, the intensity of the fog made it challenging for airlines to maintain schedules.

Advisory for Passengers

Passengers traveling to or from Delhi are advised to stay in touch with their airlines for the latest updates and plan for potential delays. Travelers are also encouraged to check weather forecasts and consider alternate travel arrangements if possible.

The dense fog that frequently blankets Delhi during winter months is a recurring challenge for air travel in the region. While measures such as improved navigation systems and pilot training for low-visibility landings have mitigated some issues, severe weather conditions like those experienced this weekend continue to cause significant disruptions. As the fog persists, passengers and airlines alike are bracing for further challenges in the coming days.

(Agency complied)