Near-zero visibility cripples North India, flights, trains cancelled/delayed

IndiGo temporarily put arrivals and departures on hold, Air India reports major disruptions at Delhi airport

New Delhi: Flights have been cancelled or delayed while several trains are running behind schedule as intense cold waves and dense fog brought North India to a standstill on Saturday.

Delhi, the nation’s capital, experienced near-zero visibility, posing significant challenges for commuters and transport systems.

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At the Indira Gandhi International Airport, flight operations came to a temporary halt early in the morning due to severely reduced visibility. IndiGo, one of the country’s leading airlines, announced the suspension of all arrivals and departures, citing unsafe weather conditions. The airline also warned passengers about delays even after services resumed, attributing it to airside congestion.

Similarly, Air India reported major disruptions across Delhi and other northern cities, with dense fog wreaking havoc on flight schedules. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) urged passengers to stay updated on their flights by coordinating directly with their respective airlines.

An official said 15 flights were diverted at the airport between 12.15 am and 1.30 am due to reduced visibility.

“While landing and takeoffs continue at Delhi Airport, flights that are not CAT III compliant may get affected. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted,” the Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) said in a post on X at 6.56 am.

The situation was the same in the NCR with Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh and Gurugram and Faridabad and adjoining areas in Haryana experiencing very low visibility.

Train services were also severely affected, with numerous delays and rescheduling reported. Road traffic across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Karnal, and Amritsar faced significant slowdowns, further complicating daily life for residents.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an ‘Orange Alert’ for Delhi, highlighting the risk of ‘very dense fog’ and urging caution.

The adverse weather isn’t limited to Delhi and its surrounding states. Himachal Pradesh is bracing for snowfall and rain as a Western Disturbance is set to become active on Sunday, January 5. The IMD has issued a ‘Yellow Alert’ for heavy snowfall in districts like Chamba, Kangra, and Kinnaur.

Meanwhile, Jammu & Kashmir is also preparing for heavy snow, prompting authorities to caution residents against unnecessary travel and to adhere to safety guidelines.