The national capital region woke up to another day of severely disrupted visibility and hazardous air on Tuesday, January 30, as a thick blanket of dense fog enveloped Delhi-NCR. The persistent foggy conditions, coupled with air quality remaining in the 'very poor' category, created a dual challenge for residents and transport authorities alike.
Flight Chaos and Airport Advisories
The impact on air travel was immediate and significant. Major airlines and airport operators were forced to issue advisories to passengers, warning of likely delays and disruptions. IndiGo, in a communication to flyers, specifically cited low visibility and fog in Delhi as the cause for the hold-ups. The situation led to a cascade of delays, leaving passengers stranded at terminals. Aviation sources reported that the poor visibility severely hampered flight operations throughout the morning hours.
While road and rail transport also felt the effects of the fog, the disruption in the skies was most acute. Commuters faced difficulties, and the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had little relief to offer in its forecast.
IMD's Forecast and Air Quality Woe
The weather office predicted that the foggy conditions would persist. The IMD forecast stated, "Dense to very dense fog in the morning hours is likely to continue over North India during the next 4-5 days." This long-duration alert signals more days of travel trouble and reduced visibility for the region.
Compounding the problem was the dangerously polluted air. Delhi's air quality index (AQI) stubbornly stayed in the 'very poor' zone, adding a health hazard to the inconvenience caused by the fog. The combination of fog and particulate pollution creates a smog that is particularly harmful to respiratory health, prompting warnings for vulnerable groups to limit outdoor exposure.
A Recurring Winter Menace
This episode is not an isolated one but part of a recurring pattern that grips North India every winter. The phenomenon of dense fog, often mixing with high pollution levels to form toxic smog, has become an annual crisis. It exposes the persistent challenges of air pollution and highlights the vulnerability of the region's transport infrastructure to weather-related disruptions.
The situation underscores the need for robust passenger communication systems by airlines and airports, as seen with the issued advisories. For residents, it reinforces the importance of staying updated on weather and air quality alerts and planning travel with ample buffer time during the winter season. As the IMD's prediction stands, Delhi-NCR must brace for several more days of navigating through the grey, murky veil.
