Dense Fog Grips Delhi Again, CAQM Says AQI Might Get 'Severe'; Trains, Flights Affected

The national capital on Tuesday woke up to dense fog and low visibility as cold weather conditions continued to grip the several cities across the nation.

Operations of several trains and flights have also been delayed due to adverse weather conditions and reduced visibility.

Taking to the microblogging site X, the India Meteorological Department said, “Very dense fog in isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana, northwest Rajasthan and East Uttar Pradesh; dense fog in isolated pockets of Delhi, Bihar & Odisha; moderate fog in isolated pockets of West Uttar Pradesh.”

Several parts of the national capital, including Munirka, Janpath and ITO were engulfed by thick blankets of fog in the early hours of Tuesday.

The weather department has said that the minimum temperature for the day in Delhi is expected to be around 8 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature is likely to settle at around 22 degrees Celsius.

TRAIN & FLIGHT OPERATIONS HIT

More than 30 trains approaching the New Delhi railway station are running late, including a number of Rajdhani and Duranto trains.

Other mail express or superfast trains are also on the delayed trains board.

Passengers scheduled to travel today are being advised to use National Train Enquiry System (NTES) for the live position of their train or contact the railway helpline.

Meanwhile, multiple flights — domestic and international — were also delayed at the Delhi airport.

Taking to X to alert the passengers amid the foggy conditions, the Delhi Airport said “While landings and take offs continue at Delhi Airport, flights that are not CAT III complaint may get affected. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.”

AQI ‘VERY POOR’, MIGHT PLUNGE TO ‘SEVERE’

The air quality index (AQI) of the national capital on Tuesday remained in the ‘very poor’ category at 328. The AQI on Monday was recorded at 356.

The Commission for Air Quality Management however said that the AQI is likely to further deteriorate to the ‘severe’ category, an Indian Express report said.

The commission said, “As per the air quality forecasts by IMD/IITM, Delhi’s average AQI is likely to move to ‘severe’ category tomorrow… the CAQM sub-committee on graded response action plan (GRAP) called a meeting today to review the current air quality scenario and forecast for meteorological conditions as well as the AQI made available by IMD/IITM.”

However, CAQM also said that owing to the improved weather conditions, including a probability of rain, the AQI deterioration might be short-lived. It noted that the sub-committee has decided not to invoke Stage 3 of GRAP at this stage.