Delhi and its surrounding areas experienced dense fog on Christmas morning, leading to reduced visibility and disruptions in both flight and train operations. According to railway officials, at least 20 trains heading to Delhi were delayed due to the foggy conditions. Flights not equipped with CAT III navigation systems, which enable operations in low visibility, were also impacted.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert, cautioning residents about dense fog during the early morning hours. Temperatures in the city are expected to hover around 22 degrees Celsius during the day and 9 degrees Celsius at night. Visibility at Safdarjung and Palam, two key monitoring stations, was recorded at 100 metres.
Delhi’s Safdarjung weather station reported a maximum temperature of 8.4 degrees Celsius, slightly below normal, while Palam recorded 9.6 degrees Celsius, which is within the normal range.
In a statement, Delhi Airport announced that while flight operations were continuing, services for flights without CAT III compliance could face delays. The airport urged passengers to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi showed a slight improvement on Christmas morning, with a reading of 334, categorized as "very poor." This marked a drop from the previous day's AQI of 398. Rainfall in parts of Delhi on Tuesday evening contributed to a marginal improvement in air quality, with the AQI reducing to 358 by the evening.
As a result of the improvement, the authorities lifted GRAP-IV restrictions, which had included a ban on construction activities. Out of the 37 monitoring stations across the city, 32 recorded "very poor" air quality, while two stations—Mundka and Nehru Nagar—continued to register "severe" levels.
The IMD has forecasted another round of rainfall in Delhi from December 26 to 28.
The maximum temperature on Christmas Day was recorded at 20.8 degrees Celsius, higher than the seasonal average, with cloudy skies prevailing throughout the day. The minimum temperature stood at 9.9 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal for this time of year.
The IMD advised residents to brace for continued chilly weather, dense fog, and the possibility of further rainfall in the coming days.
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