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The national capital of India, Delhi, experienced an unprecedented weather event on Saturday, with dense fog causing near-total visibility impairment for a record-breaking nine hours. This period of zero visibility, stretching from 6 pm to 3 am (UTC) at Palam weather station, significantly disrupted transportation and daily life. The impact was particularly acute at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), where over 400 flights faced delays. The sheer scale of the disruption underscores the vulnerability of a major metropolis to severe weather conditions and highlights the need for robust contingency plans to minimize the impact on air travel and daily commutes. The magnitude of this disruption was unprecedented for this season, surpassing previous instances of dense fog-related disruptions. The implications extended beyond immediate inconveniences, causing significant economic repercussions related to lost productivity, flight cancellations, and passenger compensation.
The unprecedented fog severely hampered flight operations. According to Flightradar24.com, more than 400 flights experienced delays throughout the day, a testament to the pervasive nature of the fog. In the early hours, between 12:15 am and 1:30 am, the situation was particularly critical, necessitating the diversion of 19 flights – 13 domestic, four international, and two non-scheduled. Moreover, more than 45 flights were cancelled altogether, further highlighting the extent of the disruption. The airport itself reported zero visibility at 7 am, with Runway Visual Range measurements between 100-250 meters under CAT III conditions – a system enabling aircraft operations in poor visibility situations. Despite the implementation of CAT III systems, the severe conditions continued since 11:30 pm on Friday, signifying a prolonged and challenging period for air traffic management. The airport authorities issued advisories via social media platforms, urging passengers to contact their respective airlines for updated flight information.
The impact extended beyond air travel. Railway services also faced significant delays. Northern Railway reported delays affecting 59 trains by up to six hours and another 22 trains by approximately eight hours. These cascading effects emphasize the interconnectedness of transportation systems and the widespread disruption caused by a single, severe weather event. Simultaneously, the air quality in Delhi remained alarmingly poor, adding another layer of concern to the city’s environmental challenges. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data recorded a 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 378, classifying the air quality as 'very poor.' This underscores the compounding effect of weather conditions on air quality, with dense fog trapping pollutants near the ground, leading to significantly reduced visibility and a deterioration of air quality. This raises broader questions about the long-term effects of air pollution and the need for sustainable environmental policies to mitigate pollution.
The meteorological department's forecast for Sunday predicted a continuation of challenging weather conditions, with partly cloudy conditions, widespread smog, and moderate to dense fog anticipated in the morning. While the wind speed is expected to increase slightly during the afternoon, it’s likely to decrease again in the evening and night, potentially leading to a recurrence of smog and fog. Temperature predictions suggest a slight decrease from Saturday's highs. The prolonged period of dense fog and poor air quality raises significant concerns about public health, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions. The event serves as a stark reminder of the need for proactive measures to address weather-related disruptions, including robust forecasting systems, effective communication strategies, and contingency plans to minimize the impact on transportation and public health.
In conclusion, Delhi's nine-hour period of zero visibility due to dense fog represents a significant weather event with far-reaching consequences. The massive disruption to air and rail travel, coupled with already poor air quality, highlights the vulnerabilities of a densely populated metropolis to extreme weather conditions. This incident underscores the necessity for improved infrastructure, more resilient transportation systems, and proactive measures to safeguard public health and minimize the economic and social costs associated with similar future events. The experience serves as a critical case study for urban planning and disaster preparedness, emphasizing the need for robust strategies to mitigate the impact of such weather events and protect the well-being of citizens.
Source: Dense fog grips Delhi, visibility drops to zero for record nine hours; over 400 flights delayed