Delhi continues to grapple with dense fog, causing significant disruptions to air and rail traffic. On Sunday, at least 11 flights were canceled, and 95 were delayed at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. Train services were also severely affected, with over 60 trains arriving and departing from Delhi running behind schedule.

The city witnessed its longest zero-visibility period of the winter season on Saturday, lasting nine hours. Visibility dropped to zero from 6 p.m. Friday until 3 a.m. Saturday at Palam and for eight hours at Safdarjung. Sunday saw slightly improved conditions, with a reduced four-hour zero-visibility spell reported from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m., and visibility improving to 50 meters by 8 a.m.

Impact on Flights and Trains

According to flight tracking platform Flightradar, 11 flights were canceled, and over 160 flights faced delays on Sunday, with an average delay time of 20 minutes. On Saturday, the disruptions were more severe, with 48 flight cancellations and 564 delays recorded.

Train services were also hit hard, with the Northern Railway reporting 59 trains delayed by up to six hours and 22 delayed by up to eight hours. Major trains like the Bihar Sampark Kranti Express and Shram Shakti Express were running over six hours late.

Weather Conditions and Visibility

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a minimum temperature of 9.4 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, slightly lower than Saturday’s 10.2 degrees at the same time. The maximum temperature on Saturday was 20 degrees Celsius, just above the seasonal average.

The relative humidity ranged between 96% and 100%, contributing to the dense fog. Sunday's forecast included partly cloudy skies, with dense fog expected in some areas during the morning hours. Wind speeds were predicted to gradually increase to 8–10 km/h from the southeast by the afternoon before slowing again in the evening.

Air Quality Concerns

Delhi's air quality remained in the 'very poor' category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 377 recorded early Sunday morning. The city's 24-hour average AQI stood at 378, well above the 'very poor' threshold of 300, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

CAT III Operations at IGI Airport

Despite the challenging conditions, flights continued to operate at IGI Airport under CAT III conditions, which allow aircraft to land and take off in low visibility. However, flights not equipped for CAT III compliance faced delays. The Delhi International Airport Limited urged passengers to check with their airlines for the latest updates.

“While landing and takeoffs continue at Delhi Airport, flights that are not CAT III compliant may be affected. Passengers are requested to contact the concerned airline for updated information,” read a post from the airport operator on X.

Looking Ahead

The IMD has predicted continued foggy conditions for the coming days, with smog or shallow to moderate fog likely in the evenings and nights. Temperatures are expected to range between 18 degrees Celsius (maximum) and 10 degrees Celsius (minimum).

As the winter season intensifies, Delhi residents and travelers are advised to plan their journeys with potential delays in mind, while the city's air quality and weather conditions remain under close watch.