The capital city of Delhi was heavily blanketed by thick fog on Saturday morning, severely affecting normal life. With visibility plummeting in numerous areas from daybreak, drivers on the roads faced considerable challenges. The most significant impact was seen on air traffic, though operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport were not entirely halted.
Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) reported that low-visibility procedures (LVP) have been in place since early morning. An advisory issued at 6:10 AM urged travelers to expect potential delays and recommended checking flight status with respective airlines before heading to the airport.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Saturday, forecasting persistent dense fog and adverse weather conditions. Visibility reports from various roads showed drivers proceeding at a slow pace due to poor visibility.
Delhi's AQI Today
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality in Delhi was recorded in the 'severely polluted' category as of 6 AM, with the ITO area having the highest AQI at 429, indicating critical air quality. Other areas like Vivek Vihar (425), Anand Vihar (423), Jahangirpuri (420), Nehru Nagar (418), and Wazirpur (417) were also alarming.
Most areas recorded an AQI around or above 400, increasing health risks for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues. Experts advise minimizing outdoor exposure and exercising caution.
Continuous Flight Delays
Dense fog had similarly impacted flight operations on Friday, with officials stating that at least 177 flights were canceled and over 500 were delayed in a single day.
Source: aajtak
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Data from Flightradar24 revealed that nearly 500 flights were delayed throughout the day. Airport authorities mentioned the operation of flights under CAT-III conditions, which allows landings despite low visibility, though avoiding delays was impossible.
Central Government Issues Advisory
To address the passengers' grievances, the Ministry of Civil Aviation issued a special advisory on Friday night. It directed airlines to provide accurate information to passengers, ensure meals and refreshments during long delays, facilitate rebooking or refunds for canceled flights, and prevent passengers with timely check-in from being denied boarding.
Source: aajtak
Flights Affected in Several States
Air India and IndiGo, among other airlines, also issued new advisories. Air India warned that besides Delhi, airports in Amritsar, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Varanasi, and Patna might experience fog impacts, while IndiGo urged passengers to verify flight statuses before traveling.
