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The national capital of Delhi and its surrounding areas are currently experiencing a significant disruption to air travel due to a dense fog that has enveloped the region. This dense fog, a consequence of the ongoing cold wave affecting North India, has severely reduced visibility at several airports, leading to widespread flight delays and cancellations. The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in New Delhi has been particularly hard hit, reporting over 200 flight delays and four cancellations. The airport authorities have issued an advisory cautioning that flights not equipped for low-visibility landings (CAT III A compliant) may experience further disruptions as the fog persists. Similar situations have been reported at Amritsar, Jammu, and Agra airports, where visibility has dropped to zero, halting normal operations. This situation highlights the critical dependence of modern air travel on consistent, favorable weather conditions and the significant economic and logistical consequences of even temporary disruptions. The widespread nature of the fog underscores the regional scale of the cold wave impacting North India.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued weather warnings in anticipation of continued dense to very dense fog. An orange warning has been issued for Delhi on Wednesday, indicating a high likelihood of severe weather conditions requiring increased preparedness. A yellow alert follows for Thursday and Friday, signifying a lower but still significant risk of adverse weather. The IMD's seven-day forecast projects a further drop in minimum temperatures, with a predicted low of 5 degrees Celsius by Friday. This sharp decline in temperature exacerbates the existing cold wave, posing health risks to vulnerable populations and potentially increasing energy demands for heating. The stark contrast between the current conditions and normal temperatures is evident; Delhi's maximum temperature on Monday was recorded as 16.2 degrees Celsius, 2.8 degrees below normal, while the minimum temperature was 7.4 degrees, 5 degrees above normal. The significant temperature drop of 3.1 notches from Tuesday underscores the rapid deterioration of weather conditions.
The impact of the extreme cold wave and resulting fog extends far beyond Delhi. Several other North Indian states, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan, are experiencing similar extreme conditions. The severity of the cold is highlighted by the minimum temperature recorded in Nagaur, Rajasthan, reaching a chilling 2.5 degrees Celsius. This widespread impact emphasizes the need for coordinated regional responses to address the consequences of the cold wave, including providing assistance to vulnerable populations, ensuring the continued provision of essential services, and managing the disruptions to transportation networks. The cascading effect of the weather conditions on various aspects of daily life is evident: on Tuesday alone, over 300 flights were delayed, and around 25 train services were disrupted due to the blinding fog. This disruption has significant implications for the economy, particularly the transportation and tourism sectors, highlighting the interconnectedness of weather patterns and economic activity. The ongoing situation necessitates a sustained monitoring of weather conditions and proactive measures to mitigate the adverse impacts on the affected regions.
The current situation in Delhi and across North India underscores the vulnerability of infrastructure and daily life to extreme weather events. The widespread flight delays and cancellations, along with the disruptions to train services, showcase the economic and social consequences of such events. The cold wave itself poses significant health risks, particularly to the elderly, children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. The IMD’s warnings serve as crucial alerts, providing essential information for individuals, businesses, and authorities to prepare and mitigate potential risks. The collaborative efforts of weather agencies, airport authorities, and transportation providers are vital in ensuring the safety and welfare of the population and in minimizing disruptions during these challenging weather conditions. The ongoing situation underscores the need for ongoing investment in infrastructure resilient to extreme weather, improved forecasting capabilities, and effective emergency response plans. This will be critical not only in managing current crises but also in preparing for potentially more frequent and intense weather events in the future, a consequence of the ongoing climate change challenges facing the globe.
Source: Delhi: Thick fog engulfs national capital, over flights delayed, temperature likely to dip further