Multiple flights and trains originating from or bound for Delhi were either postponed or cancelled due to heavy fog cover in the national capital on Saturday, knowing that visibility was poor.
Approximately 80 flights originating from and over 50 flights bound for Delhi airport were delayed on Saturday mainly due to dense fog and other operational reasons, officials from Delhi Airport told ANI. At least one flight has been cancelled.
It added that as many as 24 trains circulating in or near the national capital were also delayed.
On Saturday in the national capital, the dense blanket of fog lowered visibility to zero meters, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported.
“Zero visibility has been reported over Delhi, Lucknow and Amritsar due to variable and calm lower-level winds. Similar fog conditions are likely in the morning of January 17 as well. Visibility is likely to improve from January 18,” an official of the India Meteorological Department said in a tweet.
Delhi Airport in a statement said due do the heavy fog only CAIT IIIA and CATIII B compliant aircraft and pilots were allowed to operate. It also urged concerned passengers to call up their airline and confirm the status of their flights.
“Low visibility procedure continue to remain implemented at Delhi Airport. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information. Any inconvenience caused is regretted,” it said in a statement.
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As per the latest report, air pollution also added to visibility woes with Delhi air quality touching ‘extreme’ category while AQI was registered at 492.
In the meantime, the air quality in Delhi reached the ‘extreme’ stage with the AQI about 400-500, according to the new predictions updated by the Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Analysis System. Saffar. (SAFAR).
