Over 100 flights delayed, many cancelled as north India rails under cold, dense fog
Several passengers stranded, New Delhi Railway Station; trains delayed due to dense fog, impacting flight and rail operations; visibility reduced.
The residents of Delhi woke up to another challenging day on Wednesday as the city was blanketed by dense fog and an icy chill that disrupted normal life, especially affecting flight and rail operations. The New Delhi Railway Station became a site of stranded passengers as numerous trains faced delays due to the adverse weather conditions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that a thick layer of fog had covered significant parts of the national capital along with neighbouring regions such as Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, East Rajasthan, Bihar, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam. The fog not only created hazardous travel conditions but also significantly reduced visibility, causing a cascading effect on transportation networks.
The impact of the dense fog was most pronounced at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), where flight operations were severely disrupted. According to the airport's Flight Information Display System (FIDS), a staggering number of flights faced cancellations and delays. A total of 53 flights, including 21 domestic arrivals, 16 domestic departures, 13 international departures, and 3 international arrivals, were cancelled. Additionally, approximately 120 flights experienced delays due to the low visibility caused by the thick fog.
The chaotic scenes at both the railway station and the airport painted a picture of the widespread inconvenience faced by thousands of passengers. The freezing temperatures and poor visibility not only disrupted travel plans but also led to an atmosphere of frustration and confusion.
The dense fog, a common occurrence during the winter months in northern India, has become a major challenge for transportation infrastructure, causing disruptions and delays across various modes of travel. As weather conditions continue to play a crucial role in the functioning of daily life, authorities are urged to take precautionary measures to mitigate the impact of such adverse situations on the public.
In conclusion, the recent episode of dense fog in Delhi once again highlights the vulnerability of the city's transportation systems to weather-induced disruptions, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to ensure the smooth functioning of essential services during adverse conditions.