Dense fog and low visibility at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport have led to significant disruptions, with passengers stranded inside flights for hours. The situation unfolded as multiple flights scheduled for departure were unable to take off, resulting in a backlog on the runway.

Several flights have been queued up on the runway post-landing, with no available parking space exacerbating the issue. The affected airplanes, awaiting departure, have been grounded due to adverse weather conditions, causing considerable inconvenience to passengers who have been stuck inside their flights for the past two hours.

Akasa Air, one of the affected carriers, posted an update on social media acknowledging the impact on their flight schedules at Delhi, Chennai, Varanasi, Bagdogra, and Lucknow due to the challenging weather conditions. The airline assured passengers that their teams are working continuously to assist all customers and advised travelers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

The capital city, experiencing its coldest day on Sunday with a minimum temperature of 3.5 degrees Celsius, witnessed zero visibility in parts, leading to disruptions across various modes of transportation. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported zero visibility at Delhi’s Palam, part of Indira Gandhi International Airport, since 5:00 am due to dense fog conditions.

In response to the challenging weather, at least nine flights destined for Delhi were diverted to Jaipur and Mumbai earlier in the day. Additionally, the operations of 22 Delhi-bound trains faced delays, contributing to the overall transportation woes.

The current fog episode is being labeled as the worst of the season, affecting regions from Amritsar to Dibrugarh, including Ganganagar, Patiala, Ambala, Chandigarh, Palam, Safdarjung, Bareilly, Lucknow, Barhraich, Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Tejpur. Dense fog has also blanketed Punjab, Haryana, North Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.

This disruption comes at a critical time when winter conditions are at their peak, impacting both air and rail travel. Passengers are urged to stay informed about the status of their flights and train journeys and plan accordingly.

In addition to the travel disruptions, the adverse weather conditions have affected other aspects of daily life. The national capital recorded its coldest morning this winter at 3.9 degrees Celsius, further intensifying the cold wave.

Authorities have advised residents to exercise caution, especially during travel, and have implemented necessary measures to manage the impact of the dense fog on transportation services. The situation is being closely monitored, and updates are being provided to minimize inconvenience for the traveling public.

As the weather situation persists, passengers are encouraged to stay informed through official channels, check their travel itineraries, and cooperate with airline and airport authorities to navigate through the challenges posed by the dense fog.

By: Kruthiga V S