NEW DELHI: Delhi woke up to a thick blanket of fog on Thursday, as visibility dropped to zero in the morning, disrupting flights, trains and vehicular traffic across the region, marking one of the most challenging mornings of the winter so far.
More than 300 flights coming in and out of Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport were delayed on account of the "very dense" fog engulfing the area around the airport for two hours between 6 am to 8 am.
Officials, however, said that no diversion or cancellation of flights was reported as the fog cleared up by early afternoon.
The average delay for a flight was reported around 18 minutes, according to flight tracking website FlightRadar24.
The sharp drop in visibility also impacted trains coming into Delhi. Northern Railways said at least 43 trains were delayed due to poor visibility.
On the roads, drivers faced challenging conditions as visibility dropped sharply, impacting traffic flow in the early hours of the across NCR.
Scientists at India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded visibility at Palam plummeting below 200 meters by 5.30 am.
In the next half-an-hour, it dropped even further, touching zero by 6 am, where it remained for two hours. It finally started improving around 8 am, IMD officials said.
Under IMD's classification, visibility below 200 meters is considered as "dense" fog, and below 50 meters is considered "very dense" fog.
RK Jenamani, scientist at IMD, said that at the airport, CAT 2 and CAT 3 procedures were initiated, allowing planes to operate during low visibility.
This story is from the January 03, 2025 edition of Hindustan Times Noida.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 03, 2025 edition of Hindustan Times Noida.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
I've done a lot of TV, and I was tired, so I left it, as one tends to lose excitement, says Aamir Ali
Actor Aamir Ali has been a regular face on television for just a little under two decades, having been part of Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kya Dil Mein Hai and FIR.
Ariana Grande's 'Botox and Juvederm' joke sparks backlash
Singer-actor Ariana Grande, who has received significant praise for her portrayal of Glinda in Wicked (2024), was honoured with the Rising Star Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival 2025 on January 3.
Allu Arjun Debuts New Look As He Visits Court To Complete Bail Formalities
The actor submitted sureties at a Hyderabad court after being granted bail in connection with the Sandhya Theatre incident, debuting a new look in the process
OTT Has Shifted the Tone: Shreyas on the Missing Magic of Comedies
Shreyas Talpade's journey in cinema began during a golden era for comedy films—one that produced timeless classics including Golmaal (2006), Phir Hera Pheri and Garam Masala (both 2005).
DSP: I was prepared for Kissik and Oo Antava comparisons
As long as you don't let success get to your head, you are not bothered by the outcome,\" says composer Devi Sri Prasad, also known as DSP, who is pleased with the reception of his music for Pushpa 2: The Rule.
Sparks of Trouble for Coldplay Gujarat gig!
Ahead of its highly anticipated India tour, British rock band Coldplay is making headlines again!
Rohit and Virat still have the hunger, says Gambhir
No one in the team will say it, but they are all surely thinking it.
Aubrey's husband, director Jeff Baena, dies by suicide
Actor-comedian Aubrey Plaza is mourning the loss of her husband, director Jeff Baena, who died at the age of 47.
Lebrun brothers, the French connection in Thakkar's rise
Manav Thakkar, India's No.2 male paddler, noticed how the Lebrun brothers, the French siblings who have taken the table tennis world by storm, would \"invent stuff\" after training sessions even as the others would wind down.
Shooter Saurabh rediscovers his touch at Nationals
For five years from 2018, Saurabh Chaudhary would hold his Morini pistol so steady and shoot with such precision that it was assumed the prodigiously talented youngster would win an Olympic medal for India.