New Delhi: Dense fog continues to disrupt air and rail travel in Delhi, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting no relief for the next 4-5 days. The national capital is shrouded in a thick blanket of fog, affecting visibility at Delhi Palam (VIDP) and Safdarjung airports. At 5:30 am on January 16th, both airports reported visibility as low as 500 meters.
IMD emphasizes that dense to very dense fog conditions will persist over north India during the upcoming days. The situation has led to the cancellation of 17 flights and delays for 30 others departing from Delhi. The airport authorities have initiated Low Visibility Procedures, and passengers are urged to stay updated by contacting their respective airlines.
Pilots trained in CAT-III procedures can land an aircraft with a minimum visibility of 50 meters, while takeoffs are possible with a visibility of 125 meters. Delhi airport advises passengers to check with the airlines for the latest flight information. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has instructed airlines to proactively cancel flights if they anticipate delays exceeding three hours.
Rail travel has also been affected, with 30 trains to Delhi experiencing delays due to dense fog conditions. Indira Gandhi International Airport witnessed zero visibility on Monday, causing disruptions for the second consecutive day. During the early hours, five Delhi-bound flights were diverted—four to Jaipur and one to Ahmedabad.
As the fog persists, authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and passengers are advised to exercise caution, stay informed, and plan their travel accordingly.
Kind attention to all flyers!#Fog #FogAlert #DelhiAirport pic.twitter.com/rrEStiWKzO
— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) January 16, 2024
