Dense fog blanketed Delhi on Thursday, bringing with it a wave of travel disruptions and chilly temperatures. The city woke up to a thick blanket of fog, causing poor visibility and impacting both air and rail travel.
Airports saw the brunt of the disruption, with over 134 flights delayed, including 35 international departures and 28 international arrivals. Domestic flights also faced delays, with 43 departures and 28 arrivals affected.
Train travel wasn’t spared either. Low visibility led to delays for 22 trains arriving at the New Delhi Railway Station, with prominent trains like the Howrah New Delhi Rajdhani and Jammu Tawi Rajdhani running over an hour late. Passengers huddled at the station, battling the cold and waiting for their trains.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted the harsh conditions, forecasting a low of 7.8 degrees Celsius and a high of 22 degrees Celsius for Thursday. They issued a dense fog alert earlier on Wednesday, warning of reduced visibility till December 30th morning.
Amidst the freezing weather, a group of bikers braved the fog to cycle on Kartavya Path early morning. They emphasized the importance of using fog lights for safety, both on bicycles and cars, and encouraged moderate exercise despite the cold.
Meanwhile, rehearsals for the Republic Day parade continued on Kartavya Path, shrouded in fog. In Ghaziabad, parents demanded a revision of school timings due to the harsh conditions, citing concerns about children’s health and difficulty in waking up early.
