A dense fog enveloped Delhi on Sunday morning, significantly impacting air and train transport across the national capital. Cold wave conditions contributed to a notable temperature drop in the early hours. Numerous flights at Indira Gandhi International Airport experienced delays due to the prevailing foggy conditions.
According to a notification from Delhi Airport shared on X, while landing and take-off operations were ongoing, flights lacking CAT III compliance were particularly susceptible to disruptions. Passengers were advised to reach out to their respective airlines for the latest flight updates, and the airport expressed regret for any inconvenience caused. The India Meteorological Department recorded a temperature of 10 degrees Celsius at 5:30 am, a slight decrease from 10.2 degrees Celsius observed at the same time the previous day. Additionally, several trains at New Delhi railway station were running behind schedule because of the fog.
On the air quality front, Delhi continued to struggle with ‘very poor’ conditions. The Central Pollution Control Board reported an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 377 at 6 am, a slight improvement from 385 recorded the day before. For context, an AQI between 0-50 is deemed ‘good,’ 51-100 ‘satisfactory,’ 101-200 ‘moderate,’ 201-300 ‘poor,’ 301-400 ‘very poor,’ and anything over 400 is classified as ‘severe.’
As the harsh winter persisted, many homeless individuals sought refuge in night shelters. At Bhikaji Cama Place, several people were observed utilizing a designated night shelter, and the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has established 235 pagoda tents to accommodate those in need. Night shelters are available in various parts of the city, including areas near AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and the Nizamuddin flyover. In response to the cold weather, many residents were seen huddled around bonfires for warmth.
Other North Indian states also recorded similar weather conditions on Sunday morning, with dense fog and cold waves. In Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, the temperature was noted at 11 degrees Celsius at 5:30 am. Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir’s capital, the temperature plummeted to -1 degrees Celsius, and Chandigarh saw a reading of 9.1 degrees Celsius at the same hour.
