Delhi Airport Battles Zero Visibility And Dense Fog; CAT III B Operations In Full Swing

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a stern warning about the very dense fog engulfing the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi since 5:30 am today. The runway visual range has been confined to a minimal 125 to 175 meters, prompting the implementation of CAT III B navigation for flights, allowing landings with a mere 50-meter visibility.

Despite the challenging conditions, the Delhi airport management has assured passengers that both landings and take-offs are proceeding according to schedule. However, the airport authorities caution that flights not compliant with CAT III standards may face disruptions.

At 8:30 am, several major cities, including Palam in Delhi, Amritsar in Punjab, Agra in Uttar Pradesh, Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, Prayagraj in UP, and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, experienced zero visibility. The IMD reported that the situation persisted in these areas. Meanwhile, Safdarjung in Delhi recorded a visibility of 200 meters, and Bharapani/Shillong noted 300 meters.

The meteorological department attributes the uneven spread of fog across states to the absence of a dense layer with widespread fog conditions, as evident in satellite imagery. Consequently, patches of fog have emerged in various parts of northwest India, including Delhi.

IMD officials predict that the fog will begin to dissipate within the next two hours in some regions. However, they caution that visibility conditions may fluctuate dramatically, ranging from 0 to 500 meters within the same state.

In the early hours of the day, at 5:30 am, visibility recorded by the IMD was 200 meters in Safdarjung, Delhi, Ajmer, Rajasthan, and Varanasi, UP. In contrast, it plummeted to zero meters in Ganganagar, Rajasthan, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, Amritsar, and Patiala in Punjab.

Travelers are advised to stay updated on the latest information from the airport authorities and airlines, especially if their flights are not equipped to adhere to CAT III landing standards. Passengers are encouraged to check with their respective airlines for potential delays or rescheduling.

The situation has prompted heightened vigilance from air traffic controllers and pilots, who are navigating challenging weather conditions with the aid of advanced CAT III B technology. This state-of-the-art navigation system enables precise landings even in extremely low visibility scenarios, ensuring the safety and efficiency of air travel during adverse weather.

Authorities are closely monitoring the evolving weather patterns, and passengers are urged to exercise patience and flexibility in their travel plans as the foggy conditions persist. The IMD will continue to provide regular updates to mitigate disruptions and ensure the smooth operation of flights in and out of Delhi.