Thick Fog Engulfs Delhi-NCR as Temperatures Dip, Airport Warns of Flight Delays

Delhi-NCR woke up to a thick blanket of fog on Tuesday as cold conditions tightened their grip on the region, prompting weather authorities to issue fresh warnings over poor visibility and travel disruptions. The India Meteorological Department placed the national capital under a yellow alert, cautioning residents and commuters that foggy mornings are likely to continue over the next few days.

The sharp drop in visibility early in the day had a direct impact on air travel, with Indira Gandhi International Airport issuing a passenger advisory warning of possible flight delays. Travellers were urged to check real-time flight updates as winter weather conditions affected take-offs and landings during the morning hours.

According to the IMD, Delhi’s maximum temperature is expected to remain around 20 degrees Celsius, while the minimum could hover near 8 degrees. While partly cloudy skies are forecast through the day, meteorologists said dense fog is likely to persist during early mornings, especially in low-lying and open areas, keeping visibility levels poor.

The chill intensified on Monday when the city recorded its coldest February day in four years. Data from the Safdarjung Observatory, which serves as Delhi’s base weather station, showed that the maximum temperature settled at 17.5 degrees Celsius—nearly five degrees below the seasonal average. This marked the lowest February maximum temperature since February 3, 2022, when the mercury had dipped to 14.4 degrees.

Several parts of Delhi-NCR, including neighbouring areas of Uttar Pradesh such as Ghaziabad, reported dense fog during the early hours, sharply reducing visibility on roads and adding to commuter difficulties. Although sunshine emerged later in the day, partly cloudy conditions dominated, offering limited relief from the cold.

Air quality remained another concern amid the prevailing weather conditions. Delhi’s Air Quality Index stood at 254 at 7 am, placing it in the ‘poor’ category, according to official readings. Experts say stagnant air, low wind speed, and cold temperatures are contributing to the accumulation of pollutants over the region.

The Central Pollution Control Board reported that on Monday, the city’s average AQI was 188, with a majority of monitoring stations recording ‘moderate’ to ‘poor’ air quality. The Air Quality Early Warning System has forecast that pollution levels are likely to remain in the ‘poor’ range until Wednesday, with gradual improvement to ‘moderate’ levels expected from Thursday.

Under CPCB standards, an AQI between 201 and 300 is categorised as ‘poor’, indicating potential health impacts, particularly for people with respiratory conditions. Authorities have advised residents to limit prolonged outdoor exposure during early morning hours when pollution and fog levels are highest.

With cold conditions, dense fog, and poor air quality converging, Delhi-NCR is expected to remain under weather-related stress in the coming days, keeping commuters, airlines, and health agencies on alert.