Dense Fog Paralyzes Delhi-NCR: Over 140 Flights Cancelled, Trains Delayed Amid Severe Pollution

New Delhi: A thick layer of fog shrouded Delhi and the National Capital Region on Wednesday morning, drastically reducing visibility to near zero in many areas and causing widespread disruptions to air and rail travel.

At Indira Gandhi International Airport, operations shifted to low-visibility procedures under CAT-III protocols, which enable landings in extremely poor conditions using advanced instrumentation. Reports indicate that more than 140 flights were cancelled, including around 70 departures, while numerous others faced delays.

Airlines, including IndiGo and Air India, issued travel advisories urging passengers to monitor flight statuses and allocate extra time for airport commutes due to slowed road traffic and and reduced visibility. IndiGo noted that fog was affecting multiple airports in northern India, leading to slower flight movements. Air India highlighted potential knock-on effects across its network from the forecasted low visibility.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for the region in response to the persistent dense fog.

Rail services were similarly impacted, with several trains running late and passengers facing extended waits at stations such as New Delhi Railway Station.

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Compounding the challenges, Delhi’s air quality deteriorated significantly. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 384 as of 7 a.m., falling into the ‘very poor to severe’ category. Monitoring stations reported even higher readings in the ‘severe’ zone, including 452 at Anand Vihar, 426 at ITO, 411 at RK Puram, 419 at Chandni Chowk, and 414 at Dwarka Sector 8.

The combination of dense fog and severe pollution levels underscored ongoing winter woes for residents and travelers in the capital.