Dense fog and hazardous air quality are wreaking havoc in Delhi, India, as travel disruptions escalate. Reports indicate that visibility has dropped to zero in numerous locations early Friday morning, severely impacting flights, trains, and road transport across the city.
Over 150 flights have been delayed, while many trains are operating behind schedule due to the adverse weather conditions. This annual issue plagues northern India each winter, as low temperatures between December and January trap pollutants near the ground, greatly diminishing visibility and making travel perilous.
According to state data, the air quality index in Delhi has surged above 400 in various areas, exceeding the World Health Organization’s safe limit by more than 25 times. In response, authorities have implemented stringent pollution control measures, including a suspension of construction and demolition activities, as well as transitioning school classes to online formats.
Recent images from Delhi depict a thick haze enveloping roads and fields, significantly shrouding buildings in the vicinity. The Delhi airport has issued a travel advisory, cautioning passengers about potential flight disruptions due to prevailing low visibility conditions. The advisory noted that while operations continue, flights lacking CAT III compliance may face significant delays; this system facilitates landings in low-visibility scenarios.
Flight tracking indicates that departing flights from Delhi airport are facing delays of over 30 minutes, while arriving flights are delayed by nearly 20 minutes. Frustrated passengers have expressed their concerns online, noting a lack of clear information at the airport regarding boarding gate displays.
Additionally, the Indian Railways reported that 26 trains scheduled to arrive in Delhi are running late due to the foggy conditions. However, India’s weather department has forecasted light showers over the weekend, promising potential improvements in visibility conditions in the days to come.
