Delhi is experiencing dense fog conditions, which are causing travel disruptions, affecting over 110 flights and 25 trains.
Visibility decreases to a point where it is almost zero.
Delhi and its surrounding areas experienced the arrival of dense fog on Wednesday morning, resulting in significant disruptions in the transportation sector. The visibility dropped to a mere 50 meters, leading to disruptions for more than 110 flights at the Delhi airport and delays for 25 trains heading towards the national capital. The weather office issued a red alert, cautioning about "very dense fog" due to continued cold wave conditions.
Road collisions and casualties
The dense fog in Delhi caused dangerous road situations, leading to multiple collisions across Uttar Pradesh. Unfortunately, one individual lost their life, while 12 others were injured in a multi-vehicle crash on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway. In Bareilly, a truck travelling at high speed collided with a house near the Bareilly-Sultanpur highway.
India: Vehicles collide on Uttar Pradesh's Yamuna Expressway due to low visibility #DelhiNCR #DelhiFog pic.twitter.com/8y647JVybV— WION (@WIONews) December 27, 2023
Video Source: WION X
Alerts from IMD
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted "dense to very dense fog conditions" in northern regions such as Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, UP, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. In Delhi, the Palam Observatory near the Indira Gandhi International Airport recorded visibility at 125 meters, while the Safdarjung Observatory reported a mere 50 meters. Several commuters have also noticed even lower visibility in different parts of the national capital. Other cities in northern India, including Patiala, Lucknow, and Prayagraj, have experienced foggy weather with significantly reduced visibility upon waking up.
The air quality drastically declines.
In addition to the foggy weather, Delhi faced the challenge of a significant decline in air quality after enjoying comparatively better conditions for weeks. The Air Quality Index (AQI) reached a level of 381, classified as "very poor." It is worth mentioning that Anand Vihar in Delhi recorded an exceptionally high AQI of 441, while Lodhi Road and IGI airport had AQI values of 327 and 368 respectively. Neighbouring Ghaziabad and Noida reported AQI values of 336 and 363. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has cautioned that the air quality is expected to worsen further in the upcoming week.
Weather forecast and AQI levels
With the minimum temperature at 7 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 24 degrees Celsius, Delhi is currently facing challenging weather conditions. The forecast suggests a further decline in air quality, highlighting the importance of taking necessary precautions.
In conclusion
As the dense fog in Delhi arrives, NCR battles thick fog and its associated challenges, travellers and residents are urged to exercise caution and stay informed about weather and air quality conditions. The city remains vigilant during this period of reduced visibility and worsening air quality. Stay safe, Delhi!
Photo Credits: India Meteorological Department (X)
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