Fog Disrupts Travel: 6 Flights Canceled, Over 110 Delayed at Delhi Airport; 80 Trains Delayed by Hours

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Severe cold and dense fog continue to disrupt daily life in Delhi-NCR. On Sunday morning, a thick layer of fog blanketed the capital causing significant delays in flight and train services. The cold wave also led to a noticeable drop in temperature. At Indira Gandhi International Airport, several flights faced disruptions due to low visibility. Delhi Airport issued an advisory on X, stating, "Landing and take-off are continuing at Delhi Airport but flights not complying with CAT III standards may be affected. Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates. We regret the inconvenience caused."

Around 200 passengers of an Air India Express flight from Delhi to Pune (IX-1176) experienced severe delays, as they were made to sit on the plane for seven and a half hours. Scheduled to depart at 9:40 PM on Friday, the flight finally took off at 7:30 AM on Saturday. By 8 AM Sunday, six flights were canceled and 114 flights were delayed by an average of 18 minutes due to fog at IGI Airport. On Saturday, the airport saw even greater disruptions with 48 flights canceled and 564 delayed.

Train services were also heavily impacted. Northern Railway reported that 59 trains were delayed by up to six hours, while 22 were running behind schedule by approximately eight hours. According to the Meteorological Department, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 10°C at 5:30 AM on Sunday slightly lower than the 10.2°C recorded the previous day. To assist those in need, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) set up 235 pagoda tents as shelters for the homeless. Night shelters were also established in key areas including AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and Nizamuddin flyover while many sought warmth around bonfires to combat the biting cold.