Dense fog and worsening air quality mark a chilly day in Delhi-NCR
A dense fog blanketed Delhi-NCR on the morning of January 15 as cold wave conditions intensified across north India. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued 'Orange' alert for Delhi due to "dense to very dense" fog at many places today, reported ANI.
Delhi recorded a temperature of 10 Degrees Celsius at 5.30 a.m., as per IMD. Visibility plummeted to zero in several regions, affecting train and flight operations.
The Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS), which is a real-time monitoring system tracking air quality and visibility levels, in its latest bulletin forecast fog in several areas of Delhi-NCR and light rain in some parts of the national capital in the evening and night with generally cloudy sky on January 15. Rainfall is likely to bring a further drop in temperatures across Delhi-NCR.
IMD forecast a minimum temperature of 9 Degrees Celsius for the day, while the maximum is expected to settle at 19 Degrees Celsius.
A few flights were reportedly delayed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport due to fog. Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) shared updates on X, noting that while landings and takeoffs were continuing for flights equipped with CAT III technology, those without the necessary compliance may get affected. DIAL also asked passengers to stay updated about their flights.
As many as twenty-six trains to Delhi are running late due to fog conditions in the national capital, reported ANI.
Train schedules were disrupted due to fog on January 14 as well. At least 39 trains were running late till 6:30 a.m., with delays ranging from 30 minutes to four hours, reported The Hindu.
Delhi continues to experience poor air quality over the past few days. The 24-hour average air quality was recorded in the "poor" category, with an AQI reading of 275 on January 14 as per the Central Pollution Control Board.
According to AQEWS, Delhi's AQI is projected to be in the “very poor” category on January 16. Thereafter, from January 16 onwards, Delhi’s AQI is expected to be in the “poor” to “very poor” category for the next six days.