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Delhi’s weather took a toll on transportation systems on Wednesday as thick layers of fog led to near-zero visibility across parts of the national capital and neighboring areas. The dense fog particularly affected areas like Noida and Ghaziabad, which saw complete zero visibility during the morning hours. The fog, combined with cold wave conditions, also disrupted travel schedules, causing significant delays at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and on the railway tracks.
As the fog rolled in, over 100 flights were delayed at Delhi’s IGI Airport. Airport officials confirmed that no flights were cancelled or diverted, but passengers were urged to stay updated on their flight statuses. The airport had previously issued an advisory cautioning that flights not equipped with CAT III (Category III) facilities, which allow for low-visibility operations, could face delays.
At the same time, the rail network was heavily impacted, with 26 trains experiencing delays ranging from one to several hours. Some of the most severely delayed trains included the Bihar S Kranti, which was delayed by 205 minutes, and the Mahabodhi Express, which saw a 328-minute delay. The weather conditions have led to delays of more than 100 minutes for several other key trains, including the Shram Shakti Express, Gorakhdham Express, and Lucknow Mail.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast light rain or drizzle for the day, with temperatures ranging from a low of 9°C to a high of 19°C. The fog is expected to persist, and the IMD has warned of shallow fog or smog during the evening and night. Other regions, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan, are also facing dense fog conditions, with some regions expected to experience this weather for the next two to three days.
In addition to transportation delays, the visibility issues affected daily life across Delhi. Areas like Dhaula Kuan, India Gate, Nirankari Colony, and Shankar Vihar were enveloped in thick fog, with residents and commuters struggling to navigate the streets safely. The IMD has indicated that wind speeds will remain low in the morning, with a gradual increase expected during the afternoon.
Passengers traveling through the Delhi Airport were advised to contact their respective airlines for updates, as weather-related delays are expected to continue. IndiGo Airlines also issued a caution, urging passengers to check flight statuses and assuring them that the airline was closely monitoring the situation.