134 flights delayed, 22 trains delayed due to dense fog in Delhi
New Delhi: A dense layer of fog engulfed the national capital and the city remained in the grip of cold wave, due to which trains and flights were delayed in Delhi on Thursday, causing inconvenience to the passengers.
Visuals from Indira Gandhi International Airport showed passengers standing in queue at the airport gate amid dense fog.
Delays in flight operations were reported due to fog at Delhi airport, affecting around 134 flights, both arrivals and departures (domestic and international). While 35 international flights departures from Delhi were delayed, 28 international arrivals were also delayed. On the other hand, 43 domestic departures and 28 domestic arrivals were delayed.
At New Delhi Railway Station also, 22 trains were delayed due to low visibility. Trains like Howrah New Delhi Rajdhani and Jammu Tawi Rajdhani are running late by more than an hour. Scenes at the station show many passengers waiting in the extreme cold.
The IMD had predicted that the temperature on Thursday would be minimum 7.8 degrees Celsius and maximum 22 degrees Celsius.
Earlier on Wednesday, IMD had issued an alert of dense fog for the national capital. “All are informed that dense fog is observed over some areas of Delhi including IGI Airport Palam from 0830 hrs today, 27 December 2023,” the IMD said in a post on ‘X’.
Another post said, “Dense fog warning for Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi: Very dense fog during night and morning hours till 30th December and dense fog on 31st December 2023.”
The weather office also said visibility at Delhi-Palam airport reduced from 100 meters at 2130 IST to 50 meters at 2200 IST on Wednesday.
However, cold weather conditions did not stop a group of bikers from heading out on duty on Thursday morning.
One of the bikers said, “It is foggy and cold. Still, cycling is the most fun in this weather… It is important to get out. All the dreams we see in our beds will come true only when we get out.” “
Emphasizing on the importance of using fog lights in this season, the fitness enthusiast said, “Whether you are on a bicycle or in a car, it is important to use fog lights. I think it will keep you 50 per cent safe.”
The biker also said that, although one should not work too hard during the winter months, some light exercise is necessary.
“In winter, you should do light exercise and not do too much hard work. But some activities are necessary,” he said.
Meanwhile, rehearsals for the Republic Day parade are going on on the duty road in Delhi amid dense fog.
In Ghaziabad, parents have demanded modification of school timings keeping in mind the cold weather conditions.
“Children are facing problems due to extreme cold. They are suffering from cough and cold. It is difficult to wake up in the morning. We demand the administration to change the school timings. If the temperature drops further in the coming days, The school will be closed.” The timings should be changed keeping this in mind,” said one of the parents.
