New Delhi, January 16: Several flights to and from Delhi’s airport experienced delays on Tuesday, attributed to dense fog and poor visibility conditions. Responding to the challenges posed by the weather, authorities at the Delhi airport issued an advisory, urging travellers to contact their respective airlines for updates before venturing out. The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) bore the brunt of disrupted flight operations, primarily due to the unavailability of runways compliant with Category III (CAT III) specifications.
The prevailing low visibility conditions exacerbated the situation, with the Delhi airport currently having just one CAT III-equipped runway suitable for operations during periods of reduced visibility and dense fog. Compounding the issue, Runway 28/10 has been inaccessible since mid-September due to scheduled re-carpeting efforts. This limitation has added to the operational challenges, impacting the airport’s ability to efficiently manage flights in adverse weather conditions.
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Travellers are being cautioned about potential disruptions and are strongly advised to stay informed by keeping in touch with their respective airlines. The situation underscores the critical need for enhanced infrastructure and operational capabilities to mitigate the impact of adverse weather on flight operations at major airports.
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Dense fog spurs travel woes in Delhi
Delhi faced freezing weather on Tuesday, causing disruption at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport. Approximately 30 departing flights were delayed, and 17 were cancelled due to adverse weather conditions and dense fog, with the minimum temperature recorded at 5 degrees Celsius. Passengers, affected by the delays, were seen waiting at the airport, with weather and fog cited as the primary reasons for disruptions.
An advisory from the Delhi airport informed that low visibility procedures were in progress, urging passengers to contact their respective airlines for updated flight information. The challenging weather conditions also led to the delay of 30 trains. Thick fog covered the Nirankari colony, reflecting the widespread visibility issues.
The Indian Meteorological Department reported 500-metre visibility at Palam and Safdarjung airports. The categorisation of fog, based on visibility, ranged from ‘shallow’ to ‘very dense.’ The plummeting temperatures prompted people to seek refuge in government-run ‘Rain Baseras’ (Shelter homes) providing blankets, beds, hot water, and food for the homeless.
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