Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Delhi woke up to dense fog and biting cold on Thursday as the temperature dipped to 7.6 degrees Celsius, leading to reduced visibility across the city. Flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport were reported to be affected, with authorities warning of disruptions.
The runway visibility ranged between 200 to 500 meters, while the general visibility at IGI airport dropped to zero at around 6 am. Flights equipped with low-visibility landing systems are operational, but others may face delays or cancellations, the airport authorities stated.
Flight Disruptions Reported
As per FlightRadar24, at least 80 flights experienced delays, with an average delay of 13 minutes, and five flights were cancelled. Passengers have been advised to check flight schedules and prepare for potential changes.
IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Dense Fog
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a minimum temperature of 7.6 degrees Celsius at 8:30 am in Safdarjung. A yellow alert for moderate fog and isolated dense fog was issued for parts of Delhi, with the maximum temperature forecasted at 17 degrees Celsius and the minimum at 8 degrees Celsius.
On New Year’s Day, Delhi residents endured the third consecutive day of cold conditions, with the temperature dipping to 7.4 degrees Celsius and the maximum remaining at 15 degrees Celsius, four degrees below normal.
Visibility and Weather to Improve
The IMD has forecasted improved visibility and slightly warmer weather from January 3, providing relief from the cold and foggy conditions. According to IMD, a cold day is defined by a maximum temperature that is 4.5 to 6.5 degrees Celsius below normal.
