Delhi Freezes at 5ˇăC: Over 100 flights disrupted at IGI amid thick fog, ˇ®severeˇŻ AQI, and low visibility; Noida, Indore, and Bangalore face similar challenges
Delhi is facing extreme winter conditions as temperatures drop to 5ˇăC, causing significant disruptions at IGI Airport. Over 100 flights have been delayed due to thick fog and low visibility, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching extreme levels. Similar weather challenges are affecting Noida, Mumbai, and Bangalore, where poor air quality and visibility issues are reported.
Travellers are advised to check flight statuses before heading to the airport.
Delhi Weather Today: Delhi is currently experiencing extremely cold weather, with temperatures dropping to 5ˇăC. Thick fog has covered Delhi and the nearby National Capital Region (NCR) again, causing major problems in air travel. Over 100 flights have been delayed at Indira Gandhi International Airport due to these conditions, as of Friday morning, January 10, 2025. The air quality in the city is also concerning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) classified as 'severe.'
Night Temperature Drops to 5 Degrees Celsius, What IMD Predict for Today
As of January 9, 2025, the night temperature in Delhi has fallen to around 5ˇăC, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting a minimum temperature of 6ˇăC for the day. The forecast suggests that the maximum temperature will reach about 20ˇăC, with very dense fog expected to continue throughout the morning, significantly lowering visibility.
Flight Disruptions at IGI Airport
The thick fog caused major flight delays, with reports showing that over 100 flights were affected. On average, departing flights were delayed by about 41 minutes, according to aviation tracking platform FlightRadar24.
The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) confirmed that while CAT III-compliant flights could still operate, many others faced significant interruptions due to the low visibility conditions.
Train Services and Road Traffic Impacted
In addition to air travel, train services were also severely disrupted. The dense fog slowed down road traffic, creating hazardous conditions for commuters across the Delhi NCR. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued warnings for moderate to very dense fog across North India, affecting states like Punjab and Haryana as well.
Air Quality Index Reaches Severe Levels
Adding to the problem, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) worsened sharply, hitting a severe level of 411 early in the morning. This is a decline from the 'very poor' category recorded just a day earlier. The drop in air quality is blamed on calm winds and ongoing foggy conditions.
Authorities have reintroduced strict measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to control pollution. These include bans on non-essential construction activities and restrictions on certain vehicle movements.
Similar Weather Challenges in Other Cities
On January 10, 2025, several cities in India, including Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Pune, and Indore, are dealing with severe weather due to thick fog and low visibility. In the Delhi-NCR region, visibility dropped to zero, causing major disruptions in traffic and air travel.
Similar weather conditions are affecting Mumbai and Bengaluru, where fog has disrupted daily life. Kolkata and Pune are also facing reduced visibility and cold weather. The IMD predicts that these conditions will continue over the next few days in the affected regions.
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