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The city of Delhi and its surrounding areas experienced a severe disruption to transportation networks on Friday due to an unprecedented blanket of dense fog. Visibility dropped to zero in certain locations, leading to widespread cancellations and significant delays across air, rail, and road travel. This severe weather event not only impacted commuters and travelers but also highlighted the vulnerability of the city's infrastructure to extreme weather conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert, underscoring the severity of the situation and urging residents to exercise caution. The fog, coupled with the ongoing winter chill gripping North India, created a perfect storm of challenges for those attempting to navigate the city and its environs. The impact on the aviation sector was particularly significant. Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, one of India's busiest airports, witnessed substantial disruption to its operations. Hundreds of flights were delayed, with over 100 facing cancellations due to the drastically reduced visibility. While some airlines managed to maintain operations by utilizing CAT III technology, many others were forced to delay or divert flights. This resulted in significant inconvenience for passengers, many of whom faced long waits and considerable uncertainty regarding their travel plans. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) and IndiGo Airlines, among others, advised travelers to allow for extra time and to monitor flight schedules closely. The sheer scale of the disruption can be appreciated when considering that IGI Airport typically handles around 1,300 flight movements daily.
The disruption extended beyond the air travel sector, significantly impacting rail services as well. More than 20 trains arriving in Delhi were delayed by 7-8 hours, causing considerable frustration and inconvenience for passengers. Long-distance trains, including the Telangana Express, Lucknow Mail, and Humsafar Express, were among those affected. The dense fog blanketing the railway tracks further exacerbated the situation, slowing down train operations and leading to cascading delays across the network. Passengers faced lengthy waits at stations, with their journeys significantly extended due to the unforeseen circumstances. The impact on road transportation was equally severe. Poor visibility due to the thick fog led to a multi-vehicle collision on the Delhi-Lucknow Highway near Bahadurgarh in the Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh. The accident involved six vehicles, resulting in a temporary road closure and minor injuries to several individuals. Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, clearing the highway and providing assistance to those affected. This incident served as a stark reminder of the dangers of driving in conditions of severely reduced visibility.
Beyond the immediate impact on transportation, the dense fog also contributed to a sharp deterioration in Delhi's already poor air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to 409, categorized as 'severe,' marking a significant jump from 299 the previous day. This alarming increase in pollution levels prompted the re-implementation of Stage 3 curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the Delhi-NCR region. These stringent measures aim to mitigate the effects of rising pollution on public health. The combination of stagnant air and reduced sunlight due to the dense fog created ideal conditions for pollutants to accumulate, exacerbating the existing air quality challenges faced by the city. The IMD’s forecast for the coming week offered little immediate relief, predicting a continuation of challenging weather conditions. The forecast included further rainy spells, isolated hailstorms, and thunderstorms in various parts of North India, including Delhi-NCR. Temperatures dropped sharply across the region, with Rajasthan recording near-freezing temperatures and Kashmir falling well below freezing. Himachal Pradesh issued a yellow alert, warning of heavy fog and ground frost in several districts. The severe weather conditions underscore the difficulties faced by residents of North India during winter, impacting various aspects of daily life and presenting persistent challenges to maintaining efficient and safe transportation networks. The ongoing cold wave compounded the issues caused by the fog, making the situation even more precarious for commuters and tourists alike.
Source: Dense fog alert: Zero visibility fog disrupts flights, trains, and traffic in Delhi