
Delhi Wakes To A Cold Morning; Flights And Trains Delayed Due To Fog
On Wednesday, the national capital Delhi experienced another bone-chilling morning, with the minimum temperature plummeting to 4 degrees Celsius. Delays plagued several flights departing from the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport.
One passenger, speaking to ANI, lamented, “My flight is over two hours behind schedule due to the adverse weather conditions. However, we understand that no one is to blame, and there’s little we can do about it.”
At the New Delhi Railway Station, passengers found themselves waiting as numerous trains faced delays owing to the fog-induced poor visibility.
A passenger informed ANI, “I’m en route to Kerala, and my train, the Kerala Express, is running five hours behind its scheduled time.”
Simultaneously, the rehearsal for the Republic Day parade unfolded at Kartavya Path.
According to the MeT department, fog is labeled as ‘shallow’ when visibility extends up to 500 meters. ‘Moderate’ fog occurs when visibility remains within 200 meters.
With visibility limited to 50 meters, the fog is classified as ‘dense’. When visibility drops below 50 meters, it is designated as ‘very dense’.
On Monday, the weather department reported ‘zero’ visibility for the first time this winter season in various regions including Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan, Patiala, Ambala, Chandigarh, Palam, Safdarjung (New Delhi), Bareilly, Lucknow, Bahraich, Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Tezpur.

A thick blanket of fog enveloped these areas, prompting residents to gather around bonfires for warmth. Rahimali, a local resident, shared his experience with ANI, stating, “To shield ourselves from the cold weather, we gather around bonfires. There has been a consistent drop in temperature since the beginning of January.”
This unusual occurrence of ‘zero’ visibility marked a significant development in the winter weather conditions in these regions, impacting daily life and necessitating measures for warmth and protection against the cold.
Amidst the freezing weather, numerous individuals sought refuge in government-run shelter homes to escape the harsh conditions. The night shelters in Delhi play a crucial role in providing a haven for homeless people who live on the streets and have no other means of shelter during the cold season. These shelters not only offer a roof over their heads but also provide essential amenities such as blankets, beds, hot water, and food to those in need.
Addressing the prevailing weather conditions in Delhi and North India, India Meteorological Department (IMD) Scientist Soma Sen emphasized that minimal changes in the minimum temperature were anticipated on Tuesday. The significance of the shelter homes becomes evident as they serve as a lifeline for vulnerable populations, ensuring they have a place to stay and access to basic necessities during the challenging winter weather.
IMD Scientist Soma Sen provided insights into the weather forecast for Delhi and North India, indicating that minimal changes were anticipated in the minimum temperature. Sen noted the possibility of a marginal one-degree rise due to sunny skies but emphasized that foggy conditions would persist. Additionally, low cloud conditions were expected to continue in neighboring regions, leading to severe cold day conditions in Haryana and Punjab for the next two to three days.
Sen clarified that no abrupt changes in temperature or cold conditions were foreseen. Instead, the cold’s intensity was expected to gradually decrease, a natural seasonal effect. Despite this reduction in cold intensity, Sen projected the continuation of ongoing foggy mornings, cold days, and cold wave conditions across the plains for at least the next two days. This detailed forecast provided a comprehensive overview of the expected weather patterns, allowing residents to prepare for the persistent chilly conditions in the region.
Also Read: IMD: Dense Fog in Delhi, Delays Expected in Flights, Trains for 4-5 Days