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The city of Delhi and its surrounding areas were enveloped in a thick blanket of fog on Friday, leading to widespread disruptions across various modes of transportation. The visibility in certain areas dropped to zero, creating hazardous conditions for drivers, pilots, and train operators. This severe weather event, coupled with a continuing cold wave sweeping across North India, significantly impacted the daily lives of commuters and tourists alike. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) responded by issuing an orange alert, warning of the perilous conditions. The impact on air travel was particularly substantial. Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, a major aviation hub, experienced significant delays and cancellations. Over 100 flights were delayed, and several were completely canceled due to the near-zero visibility. While some airlines, utilizing CAT III technology, managed to maintain limited operations, many flights were forced to delay their departures or divert to alternative airports. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) and airlines like IndiGo issued advisories urging passengers to check flight statuses regularly and allow extra travel time to account for potential delays. Considering that IGI Airport handles an average of 1,300 flight movements daily, the scale of the disruption is considerable, causing significant inconvenience to thousands of travelers.
The disruption extended beyond the aviation sector. Rail travel experienced significant delays, with over 20 trains arriving in Delhi several hours behind schedule. Delays of 7-8 hours were reported for numerous long-distance services, including prominent routes like the Telangana Express, Lucknow Mail, and Humsafar Express. The dense fog significantly hampered visibility along railway tracks, slowing down train operations and causing extensive delays for passengers. The impact on road transport was equally severe. Poor visibility, a direct consequence of the dense fog, resulted in a multi-vehicle collision on the Delhi-Lucknow Highway near Bahadurgarh in Uttar Pradesh. This pile-up, involving six vehicles, resulted in a temporary road blockage and minor injuries to several individuals. Emergency services responded swiftly to clear the highway and provide assistance to those affected. The incident highlights the dangerous driving conditions created by the dense fog and the need for increased caution from motorists during such weather events.
Adding to the already challenging situation, Delhi's air quality deteriorated significantly, reaching 'severe' levels, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 409. This represented a sharp increase from the previous day's AQI of 299. The sharp deterioration in air quality prompted the re-implementation of Stage 3 curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the Delhi-NCR region. These measures aim to mitigate the effects of rising pollution levels and protect public health. The confluence of dense fog and poor air quality created a challenging environment for residents, impacting their respiratory health and overall well-being. The IMD's forecast predicted a week of rain, with isolated hailstorms and thunderstorms anticipated in several areas of North India, including Delhi-NCR. Temperatures also dropped dramatically, with Rajasthan experiencing near-freezing conditions and Kashmir recording sub-zero temperatures. Even Himachal Pradesh issued a yellow alert due to heavy fog and ground frost in several districts. These weather conditions underscore the significant challenges faced by residents of North India during winter, impacting daily life, transportation, and overall public health.
The severe weather conditions, including the dense fog, significantly disrupted daily life in Delhi and the surrounding areas. The impact on transportation was substantial, with major delays and cancellations affecting flights, trains, and road traffic. The deterioration of air quality to 'severe' levels further compounded the problems, posing significant health risks to residents. The widespread disruptions highlight the vulnerability of transportation infrastructure and the potential for severe weather events to cause considerable economic and social disruption. The incident underscores the need for robust contingency plans to manage such events and ensure the safety and well-being of the population. Future planning should include enhanced weather forecasting capabilities, improved communication systems to alert the public about impending hazards, and the development of resilient infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather conditions. Addressing air quality concerns through stricter emission controls and sustainable urban planning is also crucial for mitigating the combined effects of pollution and adverse weather patterns.
Source: Dense fog alert: Zero visibility fog disrupts flights, trains, and traffic in Delhi