Minimum temperature in Delhi 4.8 deg C; Fog causes train and flight delays

Delhi faced a chilly day as the temperature dropped to 4.8 degrees Celsius, three notches below the usual, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Humidity hit 100% at 8.30 am, making it a cold morning.

Train Travel Hit by Fog
The weather office predicted clear skies but warned of dense fog from January 22 to 27. This prediction led to delays for 11 trains heading to Delhi, with delays of up to four hours, as shared by the railways.


Air Quality Takes a Hit
At 9 am, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 358, falling into the 'very poor' category, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The AQI scale considers values between 301 and 400 as 'very poor,' raising concerns about the air quality.

Alert for Dense Fog
Adding to the challenges, an "orange alert" for dense fog was issued for Delhi and nearby areas from January 22 to 23, with the possibility of foggy conditions continuing.

Visibility Concerns in North India
The IMD reported visibility issues in northern regions, with Ambala in Haryana at 200 meters, Hissar at 500 meters, and Delhi's Safdarjung at 500 meters. Despite this, the IMD clarified no dense fog was reported at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) during the night.

Travel Disruptions: Flights and Trains Delayed
Dense fog disrupted travel plans, causing delays for 11 trains heading to Delhi. Passengers at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport faced delays and cancellations of some flights.

Extended Weather Challenges
The IMD's prediction of dense fog until January 23 raises concerns. The temperature is expected to fluctuate between 6 degrees and a maximum of 20 degrees until January 25.

Low Visibility in Several Regions
IMD reported extremely low visibility of 50 meters in isolated regions, affecting parts of Punjab, West Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Tripura, Uttarakhand, East Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and East Rajasthan.

Railways Grapple with Delays
Due to dense fog, 22 Delhi-bound trains are running behind schedule. Northern Railways reported significant delays, with trains like Khajaurao-Kurukshetra Express, Puri-New Delhi Purushottam Express, Hyderabad-New Delhi Express, Rani Kamlapati-New Delhi Bhopal Express, and Kamakhya-Delhi Junction experiencing delays of around 6-6.30 hours.

Delhi faces a mix of cold weather, poor air quality, and dense fog, causing disruptions in both rail and air travel. Travelers are advised to stay updated and plan accordingly during this period of challenging weather conditions.