Dense fog blankets Delhi-NCR region, visibility drops to zero, flights, trains affected

Several flight services were affected due to the extreme foggy weather. Delhi airport authorities took to twitter to inform the passengers that flight operations were affected due to bad weather. They further requested the passengers to stay in touch with the airline to remain updated about the flight operations.

New Delhi: Dense fog enveloped the national capital on Monday with visibility recorded between zero to 100 meters. The temperature recorded at 8.30 am was 2.6 degree celsius near Safdarjung and 2.9 degrees in Palam. The visibility went down to zero near Palam area and 100 meter near Safdarjung. 

16 flights were diverted and four flights remained cancelled due to dense fog in Delhi. Delhi airport authorities took to twitter to inform the passengers that flight operations were affected due to bad weather. They further requested the passengers to stay in touch with the airline to remain updated about the flight operations. 

Update issued at 0600 hours : #Fog #FogAlert #DelhiAirport pic.twitter.com/MA0QdqDDVo

— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) December 30, 2019

Train services are also highly affected from the last two weeks, more than 70 trains were delayed due to extreme weather condition. 

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted that the Delhi-NCR region is likely to witness light rain showers on New Year. Hailstorm is also expected over the region on January 2. "Light rain is likely over Delhi-NCR during January 1 and January 3 night. Hailstorm is also expected on January 2 over the Delhi-NCR region," said IMD.

IMD forecast also indicated that change in wind direction from Northwesterly to easterly has started and reduction in cold days and the cold wave started from Sunday (December 29). Significant increase in wind speed is expected over Delhi NCR from December 31 evening under the influence of approaching western disturbance and easterly winds in the lower level. Severe cold day (SCD) or cold day is prevailing over Delhi NCR since December 14. 

Delhi recorded the lowest temperature of the season at 2.4 degrees on Saturday (December 28).  However, on Sunday the temperature increased by one degree as the mercury settled at 3.2 degrees in Palam, while at 3.4 degrees in Safdarjung.