Fog hits air, rail services again; 21 trains and 7 flights cancelled

As many as 20 flights got delayed while seven were cancelled at the Indira Gandhi International airport in the national capital because of intense fog. This comes a day after over 350 flights flying out of Delhi were either suspended or delayed.

Several domestic as well as international flights were affected as fog reduced visibility.

20 flights delayed, six cancelled at #Delhi airport due to prevailing #fog conditions resulting in low visibility pic.twitter.com/tDaiecQhK7 — ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2018

The poor visibility also affected train services.While 21 trains were cancelled, at least 64 trains got delayed and 24 had to be rescheduled due to fog conditions.

#Delhi Fog conditions continue to prevail in the national capital; Visuals from India Gate: 20 flights delayed, six cancelled; 64 trains delayed, 24 rescheduled and 21 cancelled due to low visibility in the region pic.twitter.com/zUoETcPxdf — ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2018

On January 1, 2018, the air pollution in the national capital stood on the brink of emergency level adding to the worsening fog condition. This happened due to a rapid build up of particulate matter owing to foggy conditions, even as Delhiites stepped out in large numbers to mark the first day of the New Year.

The day's average air quality index (AQI) was at 400, classified as 'very poor' by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

However, it was just one point short of 'severe', the worst AQI in the CPCB index. SAFAR, which has its own monitoring network, recorded 'severe' levels of pollution.

SAFAR, which comes under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, said the air quality was worse this January 1, compared to 2016 and 2017.

(With agency inputs)