- विज्ञापन -
New Delhi: Dense fog blanketed parts of Delhi on Thursday morning, significantly reducing visibility and impacting daily life. The temperature dropped to 10 degrees Celsius at 5:30 a.m., leading to potential disruptions in flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport due to low visibility.
Airport officials reported runway visibility ranging from 200 to 500 meters, with general visibility falling to zero at 6 a.m. Flights capable of operating in low-visibility conditions managed to land, but others faced delays or diversions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for dense fog in Delhi and nearby areas like Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurgaon, warning residents about poor visibility and difficult commuting conditions.
The IMD’s forecast for Thursday includes partly cloudy skies and strong surface winds of 10-15 km/h. The maximum temperature is expected to reach 17 degrees Celsius, while the minimum could drop to 8 degrees Celsius.
Delhi has experienced cold weather recently, with temperatures hitting 7.4 degrees Celsius on New Year’s Day and a maximum of 15 degrees Celsius, which is four degrees below normal.
A brief warming trend is expected on January 3 and 4, with maximum temperatures rising to 19-20 degrees Celsius and minimums around 9 degrees Celsius. However, a western disturbance from Pakistan and Afghanistan is predicted to bring heavy rain to Delhi-NCR on January 6, similar to a system that caused downpours in late December and contributed to the current cold wave.
Additionally, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 241, indicating ‘poor’ air quality. Residents are advised to exercise caution while driving in the fog and to stay informed about any changes to flight schedules due to the weather.
