New Delhi, December 23: Dense fog has caused significant disruptions in flight schedules at the Delhi airport, with 11 international and five domestic flights facing delays on Saturday, according to the Flight Information Display System.
The effects of plunging temperatures have shrouded vast regions of North India, leading to a thick layer of fog engulfing the national capital, impacting visibility. The India Meteorological Department reported the minimum temperature at Palam as 14°C, while Palam recorded 12.2°C. In response to the biting cold, many residents were seen gathering around bonfires to keep warm.
The plummeting temperatures have forced people to seek shelter at various locations, including a night shelter at AIIMS. Similar scenes unfolded elsewhere, with locals seeking warmth under heavy blankets and quilts in night shelters around the Lodhi Road area. Flyers are in for inconvenience amid desruptions in flight schedules at the Delhi airport.
Residents engaging in morning activities such as cycling and walks expressed the severity of the cold, stating a significant drop in temperatures during the early hours of Saturday. They highlighted the extreme conditions created by the fog and pollution, necessitating the use of masks while outdoors to mitigate health issues arising from pollution.
The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi, reported by SAFAR-India (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research), registered in the ‘Very Poor’ category at 8:07 am on Saturday.
Earlier this week, the India Metrological Department (IMD) recorded a minimum temperature of 7.8°C in the national capital. The agency forecasted a 2-3 degrees Celsius increase in minimum temperatures across North India over the next three days.
The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi, according to SAFAR-India, was previously recorded in the poor category on Thursday morning.
— With inputs from agencies
