New Delhi: Dense layers of fog enveloped Delhi and the surrounding national capital region on Saturday morning, resulting in nearly zero visibility on the roads. Flight and train services in the capital are anticipated to be impacted due to these weather conditions. At 7 am, the capital recorded a temperature of 11.2 degrees Celsius, with the air quality index reported at 353 according to the Sameer app. Images captured from the Barapullah flyover, India Gate, and the Delhi-Jaipur highway illustrated the reduced visibility on the roads amid the fog.
Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi has also issued a notice for travelers. In a message posted on X, the airport stated, “While landings and takeoffs are ongoing at Delhi Airport, flights that do not meet CAT III standards may be affected. Passengers are advised to reach out to their respective airlines for the latest flight updates. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused.”
Warmer January in Delhi
The India Meteorological Department has forecasted that the minimum temperature for Saturday will be around 10 degrees Celsius, while the maximum is expected to reach approximately 26 degrees Celsius. Dense fog is also predicted for the capital.
It is noteworthy that Delhi has experienced an unusually warm January, with Friday’s maximum temperature hitting 27 degrees Celsius, marking the warmest day in the month since 2019.
The average high temperature for January was recorded at 21.1 degrees Celsius, slightly above the long-term average of 20.1 degrees Celsius. Data from the IMD indicates that nighttime temperatures have also been higher than normal. Mahesh Palawat, a weather expert cited by the news agency PTI, attributed the warmer January to the lack of significant western disturbances.
“If we had experienced one or two strong systems, we would have encountered colder conditions due to icy winds and cloud cover. Instead, temperatures have risen rapidly,” he remarked.
The air quality index forecast for the capital indicates that air quality is expected to remain in the “very poor” category until February 3, after which some improvements are anticipated.
From February 1 to 3, the air quality in Delhi is expected to be classified as ‘very poor.’ Following this period, it may deteriorate to a ‘poor’ status, according to the Early Warning System for Delhi established by the Centre.
