IMD Issues Very Dense Fog Alert In North India; Flights And Trains Disrupted

Dense to very dense fog continues its siege on Northwest and parts of adjoining Central India, disrupting air and rail travel, and leaving passengers stranded and anxious. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings and forecasts, painting a foggy picture for the next few days.

According to the latest updates from the IMD, dense to very dense fog conditions are likely to persist in many parts of Punjab from the 27th to the 31st of December. Additionally, areas in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh are expected to experience these conditions from the 27th to the 29th of December. Isolated pockets of north Rajasthan and north Madhya Pradesh are also under the foggy spell on December 27.

Furthermore, dense fog is expected to grip isolated pockets over Odisha and Uttarakhand on the 27th and 28th of December, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh on the 30th and 31st of December, and Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura from the 27th to the 31st of December.

In Jammu and Kashmir, dry weather with moderate to dense fog is predicted to persist over Central Kashmir, Pulwama, and Baramulla until December 31. However, the MeT forecast hints at a change in the weather pattern, with light rain and snow in scattered places and cloudy skies during January 1-2.

On December 26, dense fog disrupted visibility, affecting about 30 flights, including international ones, at the Delhi airport. The situation worsened, affecting approximately 35 flights today. International departures and arrivals faced delays, while on the domestic front, 21 departures and three arrivals were also affected.

Responding promptly to the situation, the Delhi Airport issued a passenger advisory at 5 am, urging travellers to stay informed about their flight status. Airport authorities communicated the advisory through various channels, including announcements and digital displays, aiming to keep passengers updated on the evolving situation.

Adding to the complexity, airport authorities highlighted the importance of Category III (CAT III) compliance for flights, indicating that non-compliant flights might face further disruptions. CAT III compliance is crucial, especially during adverse weather conditions, such as low visibility caused by dense fog.

Passengers are strongly advised to check with their respective airlines for real-time updates and plan their journeys accordingly. The unforeseen weather conditions have created a logistical challenge for both airport staff and passengers alike.

Northern Railways has also reported disruptions, stating that 25 trains bound for Delhi are running late due to the persistent dense fog. Train travel in the region continues to face challenges, with delays impacting schedules.

The IMD has issued a rainfall alert which is likely to affect Northwest India from December 30. Under its influence, light isolated rainfall is expected over Northwest and adjoining Central India from December 30 to January 2, 2024. Additionally, light to moderate rainfall is predicted over Coastal Tamil Nadu from December 30, 2023, to January 1, 2024.