Flight and train operations across several parts of the country were severely disrupted on Monday as dense fog reduced visibility, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.
At Delhi airport alone, a total of 128 flights were cancelled, including 64 arrivals and 64 departures. Additionally, eight flights were diverted, while over 30 flights were delayed as visibility dropped sharply to around 125 metres, significantly hampering flight movements. Cascading delays led to congestion at terminals, with passengers waiting for long hours.
Dense fog also impacted flight operations at several other airports across north and eastern India, triggering widespread delays and cancellations. Several inbound flights to Delhi were diverted due to poor visibility, air traffic congestion and operational constraints, further compounding passenger inconvenience.
The Delhi airport authority said flight operations were being conducted under CAT III conditions due to dense fog, which could result in delays or cancellations. Passengers were advised to check their flight status with airlines before leaving for the airport.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for dense fog in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), with similar alerts in place for Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Maximum and minimum temperatures in the region are expected to remain around 22°C and 7°C, respectively. The weather department also warned of severe cold conditions and dense fog ahead of the New Year.
According to the IMD, a western disturbance is likely to affect north India, with partly cloudy skies expected in Delhi on the evening of December 31 and the possibility of light rain in parts of Delhi-NCR on January 1.
The aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has designated the period from December 10 to February 10, as the official fog season window, during which weather-related disruptions are expected to remain frequent.
Airlines issued advisories cautioning passengers about possible delays and cancellations. IndiGo said dense fog in Jammu continued to affect visibility, impacting flights operating to and from the region, with services subject to delays or cancellations depending on weather and operational feasibility.
SpiceJet warned of disruptions in Kolkata due to poor visibility, stating that all departures, arrivals and consequential flights could be affected. Air India also cautioned passengers that dense fog across north India, including at its Delhi hub, could have a cascading impact on flight schedules across its domestic network.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued a broader advisory, warning of reduced visibility at select airports in northern India and potential delays. It said passenger facilitation measures had been activated, with assistance teams deployed at affected airports to support travellers.
Rail services were also hit by foggy conditions, with several trains running behind schedule. Trains affected included the Mahabodhi Superfast Express, Vikramshila Express, Arunachal Express, Lucknow-New Delhi AC Superfast Express, Bareilly-New Delhi Intercity Express, Muzaffarpur-Porbandar Express, and Katra-Kota Weekly Express, among others.
Authorities have urged travellers to stay updated through official airline channels, allow extra time for travel and check-in, and follow advisories as dense fog continues to disrupt air and rail operations across large parts of the country.
(IANS)
