“The exact number of flights and trains disrupted by dense fog remained unclear as of Friday morning.”
“Dense fog engulfed Delhi and neighboring areas, including Ghaziabad and Noida, on Friday morning, reducing visibility to zero in some locations. In response, the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) issued an advisory warning of potential flight disruptions.”
“The dense fog coincides with worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR. As of 6:05 am on Friday, Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 409, categorized as ‘severe,’ according to the Sameer app, which provides real-time updates on the National Air Quality Index.”
“The exact number of flights and trains impacted by the dense fog was not immediately available on Friday morning, but reports indicated that over 100 flights were delayed at Delhi airport.”
At 5:30 am on Friday, Delhi’s temperature was recorded at 9.6 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD forecasted a minimum temperature of around 6 degrees Celsius, with a maximum temperature expected to reach approximately 20 degrees Celsius, accompanied by “very dense fog.”
Flight operations were affected at IGI Airport, with the airport issuing an advisory at 4:25 am urging passengers to check with their airlines for updates on flight statuses due to potential disruptions caused by the dense fog.
In a follow-up advisory at 5:52 am, Delhi airport confirmed that flight departures were affected, though CAT III-compliant flights were still able to take off and land.
“Due to dense fog, flight departures have been impacted. However, CAT III-compliant flights are able to land and depart from Delhi Airport. Passengers are advised to contact their airline for the latest flight updates,” the advisory stated.
At 5:04 am, IndiGo posted on X advising passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
Delhi and other NCR cities, including Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram, experienced heavy fog between January 2 and 3, reducing visibility to zero in some areas for an unprecedented nine-hour period—the longest stretch of the season, according to the weather department.
On Thursday, Delhi enjoyed a sunny afternoon after several breezy, cold days, with the maximum temperature reaching 21.2 degrees Celsius—2.2 degrees above the season’s average. However, the morning was colder, with the minimum temperature recorded at 4.8 degrees Celsius, down from 7.4 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. Light fog had settled over the city in the morning.
GRAP 3 Reimposed Amid Rising Air Pollution
The Centre’s panel on Delhi-NCR air quality reinstated stage 3 anti-pollution measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) due to a sharp increase in pollution levels, driven by unfavorable meteorological conditions.
Delhi’s air quality worsened, with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 357 at 4 pm, up from 297 on Wednesday, due to “calm winds and foggy conditions.”
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), tasked with air pollution control strategies in Delhi-NCR, has instructed authorities to immediately enforce the restrictions outlined under stage 3 to prevent further deterioration of the air quality.
CAQM classifies the Air Quality Index (AQI) as follows: 0-50 is ‘good,’ 51-100 is ‘satisfactory,’ 101-200 is ‘moderate,’ 201-300 is ‘poor,’ 301-400 is ‘very poor,’ and 401-500 is ‘severe.’
GRAP Stage 3, which was lifted on Sunday, includes a ban on non-essential construction activities.
Additionally, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) annual report revealed a 12% reduction in pollution compared to the 2017 baseline. PM10 levels dropped from 241 to 211 µg/m³, although the city still failed to meet the original target.
The report also revealed that only 41 of the 131 non-attainment cities identified in 2019 under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)—roughly 31%—are on track to meet the initial deadline of achieving a 20-30% reduction in PM10 levels by 2024.
