Flights, trains delayed due to dense fog and cold weather in Delhi

Pic/PTI

Movement of flights and passenger trains to and from the National Capital continued to remain affected on Tuesday due to dense fog and cold weather in Delhi, reported news agency ANI.

While several flights were delayed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport as a layer of fog gripped the national capital. Around 28 long distance trains to Delhi were also running behind schedule by up to five hours or more.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature in Delhi was expected to be 7 degree Celsius, with a maximum of 18 degree Celsius. However, the recorded minimum temperature in Delhi on Tuesday morning was 6.9 degrees Celsius, reported ANI.

According to Northern Railways, 28 trains, including Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, Rajendranagar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, Dibrugarh-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, Bangalore-Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express, Azamgarh-Delhi JN Kaifiyat Express, Banaras-New Delhi Express, and Katihar-Amritsar Amrapali Express, faced delays ranging from 2 to 5 hours, reported ANI.

IMD has predicted moderate fog till January 26 in the National Capital, with foggy conditions expected on January 27 and 28, reported ANI.

People on Tuesday sat around the bonfire to keep themselves warm due cold weather in Delhi.

Meanwhile, dense to very dense fog conditions are likely to prevail in the morning over parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh until January 26 morning, according to the IMD, reported ANI.

Earlier on Monday, IMD said that shallow fog affected the Jammu division, Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, contributing to visibility challenges.

Visibility challenges were evident at various locations. While Jammu Division reported 500-meter visibility, Patiala in Punjab recorded a mere 50-meter visibility. Delhi recorded only 500-meter visibility, impacting flight operations, while Varanasi and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh struggled with 25-meter and 50 meters of visibility respectively, reported ANI.

Meanwhile, commuters heading towards the Delhi-Noida-Delhi Toll Booth from Barapulla on Tuesday faced disruptions due to a sudden road cave-in at the DND Loop.

According to an alert issued by the Delhi Traffic Police, the incident significantly impacted traffic flow in the affected carriageway.

Delhi Traffic Police have urged drivers to be cautious and plan their journeys accordingly. They advised commuters to consider alternative routes to avoid congestion and delays.

"Traffic Alert: Traffic is affected in the carriageway from Barapulla towards DND Toll Booth due to a road cave-in at DND Loop. Kindly plan your journey accordingly," Delhi Traffic Police posted on X.

(With inputs from ANI)