The national capital, Delhi, experienced a minimum temperature of 8.5 degrees Celsius on Saturday, slightly above the seasonal average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). However, an “orange alert” for dense fog was issued for Delhi and its neighboring regions on the same day, indicating challenging weather conditions.
The IMD has predicted dense fog conditions, hence the orange alert for January 22 and January 23, affecting visibility and leading to potential disruptions in transportation. While no dense fog was reported during the night at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), visibility in various regions was significantly reduced.
Ambala in Haryana reported visibility of 200 meters, Hissar 500 meters, Delhi’s Safdarjung 500 meters, and Palam 1100 meters, highlighting the impact of dense fog on different areas.
The challenging weather conditions led to the delay of approximately 11 trains heading to Delhi from various parts of the country. Trains such as Khajuraho-Kurushetra Express, Ambedkarnagar-Katra, and Vasco-Nizamuddin Express, among others, experienced delays.
Passengers at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport faced disruptions as well, with some flights delayed and a few even canceled due to the dense fog conditions. Travelers were seen waiting for their scheduled flights as airport authorities dealt with the challenges posed by reduced visibility.
The IMD’s forecast suggests that dense fog conditions are likely to persist in the National Capital on January 22 and 23, affecting daily activities and transportation. It is crucial for residents and travelers to stay informed about weather updates and advisories during this period.
The temperature in Delhi is expected to hover between 6 degrees and a maximum of 20 degrees until January 25, according to the IMD. These conditions, combined with dense fog, can impact daily life and travel plans, emphasizing the need for caution and preparedness.
The low visibility and challenging weather conditions on Friday affected various regions, including parts of Punjab, West Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Tripura, Uttarakhand, East Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and East Rajasthan. The IMD recorded visibility as low as 50 meters in isolated regions, further highlighting the severity of the fog-related challenges.
As a result of the dense fog, as many as 22 Delhi-bound trains experienced delays. Train services, including Khajaurao-Kurukshetra Express, Puri-New Delhi Purushottam Express, Hyderabad-New Delhi Express, Rani Kamlapati-New Delhi Bhopal Express, and Kamakhya-Delhi Junction, were delayed by around 6-6.30 hours.
The impact of dense fog on transportation is a common challenge during the winter months in northern parts of India. Fog-related disruptions often lead to delays and cancellations of flights and trains, affecting the travel plans of thousands of people. Passengers are advised to check for updates, follow safety protocols, and plan their journeys accordingly during periods of dense fog.
Delhi’s recent experience of dense fog, coupled with a slightly higher minimum temperature, underscores the need for residents and travelers to stay informed about weather conditions and potential disruptions. The “orange alert” issued by the IMD signals the importance of taking precautions and being prepared for challenging weather scenarios in the coming days.