North India fogged out : Air and rail traffic affected

As the temperature dropped in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), a dense layer of fog covered the national capital and surrounding regions, reducing visibility on Monday.

Around 6 a.m., visibility in the area plummeted to less than 25 metres, and automobiles were spotted driving with their headlights on. To beat the cold, people were observed crowded around enormous bonfires outside petrol stations and on street corners.

The data from IMD stated “At 5:30 a.m. today, visibility was recorded in Bhatinda-0 metres, Amritsar-25 and Ambala-25 metres each, Hissar-50 metres, Delhi (Safdarjung)-25 metres, Delhi (Palam)-50 metres; Uttar Pradesh: Agra-0 metres, Lucknow (Amausi)-0 metres, Varanasi (Babatpur)-25 metres, Bareilly-50 metres.”

According to IMD satellite images and available visibility data, the fog layer spread from Punjab and neighbouring northwest Rajasthan to Bihar, passing through Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh.

Flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport were delayed due to the severe fog that blanketed the national capital (IGIA). The IGIA made the following message just after midnight: “The Delhi airport is undergoing low visibility operations…. Passengers should contact the airline in question for the most up-to-date flight information.”

Due to fog, as many as 29 trains were running late in the Northern Railway zone alone on Monday, including Rajdhani Express trains. Passengers had several issues as a result of delays caused by fog and cold.

“Anvt Garib Rath is running 7 hours late, Sealdah Rajdhani Express 11:30 hours late, Howrah Rajdhani Express 10:30 hours late, Jainagar Garib Rath Express 10:30 hours late, New Delhi Bhuneshwar Rajdhani Express 09 hours late, Duranto Express 13:30 hours late, among others,” stated Indian Railways data.

Today’s air quality in Delhi was in the ‘Severe’ category, with an overall AQI of 422. Noida and portions of Gurugram were also blanketed in fog.