Dense Fog Disrupts North India, Delays Flights at Delhi Airport

Early morning fog blanketed northern India, severely reducing visibility and causing disruptions across several states. In Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, thick fog slowed down traffic and delayed flights, while officials reported zero visibility in many areas. The dense fog caused significant disruptions at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, with flight operations coming to a halt. IndiGo Airlines announced a temporary suspension of both arrivals and departures, citing the poor visibility. The airline further warned that delays could continue once operations resumed due to airside congestion.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) at 1:05 AM, IndiGo advised travelers to stay updated on flight status. Shortly after, Air India also confirmed that the fog was affecting flight schedules at Delhi Airport and other northern Indian airports. "Poor visibility due to dense fog is impacting flight operations," the airline stated in an update at 1:16 AM.

According to the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), 19 flights were diverted between 12:15 AM and 1:30 AM due to the weather. However, by mid-morning, operations had returned to normal, although travelers were urged to check with airlines for updates on any lingering delays.

As the fog intensified, visibility at major airports in the region, including Delhi’s Palam and Safdarjung, Amritsar, Agra, and Gwalior, dropped to zero. Similar conditions were reported in Chandigarh, where the dense fog further lowered temperatures. The adverse weather also affected ground transportation. In Delhi, commuters faced slow-moving traffic, while train services at the New Delhi railway station were delayed due to the thick fog. In Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur, dense fog also disrupted daily life.

In Punjab, a road accident in Barnala district left several farmers injured as they were traveling to the Punjab-Haryana Khanauri border for a Kisan Mahapanachayat event. In Haryana, a fatal accident occurred in Uklana due to low visibility caused by the fog, claiming the lives of four individuals.

Flight operations were also impacted in other parts of northern India. Srinagar airport in Jammu and Kashmir saw no flights operating due to the dense fog that engulfed the Kashmir valley. Additionally, Guwahati Airport experienced delays and cancellations on Friday, with 30 flights delayed and 14 canceled.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued weather alerts, predicting that the cold wave and fog would persist through the weekend. In Jammu and Kashmir, the IMD warned of heavy snowfall, with peak snowfall expected from Saturday night through Monday morning. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, temperatures continued to dip below 6 degrees Celsius, contributing to a cold wave sweeping the region.