Delhi vanishes in year-end fog
Dense fog enveloped most of North India, including Delhi, on Wednesday, reducing visibility to near zero in several areas and disrupting road, rail and air travel, dampening New Year travel plans for many passengers on the last day of 2025. A total of 150 flights were cancelled, and more than 250 others were delayed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Wednesday due to dense fog.
More than 500 flights have been delayed, cancelled or diverted across airports on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a biting cold swept through the capital on Wednesday, with similar conditions likely to prevail on New Year’s Day. A spell of rain, which could be the season’s first, is expected later in the night or on January 1. The maximum temperature settled at 14.2 degrees Celsius, 6.2 degrees below normal and the lowest day temperature recorded since 2020. Station-wise data showed that Palam logged 13.6 degrees Celsius, Lodhi Road 13.4 degrees Celsius, the Ridge 13.8 degrees Celsius and Aya Nagar 13.1 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature was recorded at 6.4 degrees Celsius, 0.4 degrees Celsius below normal. Palam station logged a minimum of 7.7 degrees Celsius, Lodhi Road 6.8 degrees Celsius, and the Ridge 7.8 degrees Celsius, according to the IMD.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), dense to very dense fog accompanied by severe cold day conditions is likely to persist during the late-night and early-morning hours over Punjab, Haryana, East Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Delhi, Chandigarh, and West Uttar Pradesh till January 5.
The IMD said foggy and cold conditions prevailed in the city during morning hours, followed by cold day conditions through the day, which are expected to persist into the night. “A cold day is declared when the minimum temperature falls below 10 degrees Celsius, and the maximum temperature remains about 4.5 degrees below normal,” an IMD official said.
According to Mahesh Palawat of Skymet weather, from January 3, coldwave conditions may develop as the minimum temperature could drop below 5 degrees Celsius, with cold northerly winds from the Himalayan region expected to move towards the capital.
According to the weather department, Safdarjung reported the lowest visibility of 50 metres between 6.30 am and 7.30 am, which later improved to 100 metres by 8 am. Palam recorded visibility as low as 50 metres between 4 am and 7.30 am, improving to 150 metres by 8 am.
The IMD also issued an advisory urging residents to remain cautious. It has warned about disruption at some airports, highways and railway routes in the affected meteorological subdivisions due to dense fog. The weather department also warned of possible tripping of power lines in areas experiencing very dense fog. It advised people to be careful while driving or travelling by any mode of transport, to use fog lights while driving and to stay in touch with airlines, railways and State transport authorities for updates on journey schedules.
Wear several layers of loose fitting, light weight; warm woollen clothing; Cover your head, neck, hands and toes adequately as majority of heat loss occurs through these body parts”, it said.
A western disturbance is moving across the mountains of North India. Winds in the lower levels have slowed down, restricting the dispersion of pollutants and moisture. The presence of clouds in the neighbourhood will obstruct radiational cooling and arrest a sharp drop in night temperatures. The minimum temperature is likely to hover around 8°C, with a marginal variation of ±1°C. High humidity and nocturnal breeze are likely to add to the chill factor during evening and night hours. The trio of humidity, winds and temperature will remain conducive for dense fog formation as the night progresses. Poor visibility will put brakes on speed and make transportation a tough nut to crack.
In its latest passenger advisory, Delhi’s IGI Airport said that delays and cancellations were expected due to dense fog conditions. It urged passengers to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight updates. “Due to prevailing dense fog conditions, flight operations are currently being conducted under CAT III protocols, which may result in delays or cancellations. Our ground teams are on-site and actively assisting passengers to ensure a smooth travel experience,” it said. The advisory added, “For the latest flight updates, please reach out to your respective airlines. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused.” IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet were among the airlines that issued travel advisories for passengers due to flight disruptions at the airport.
In its statement, IndiGo said, “Foggy conditions are present across Delhi and several airports in northern India this morning. If reduced visibility conditions persist, flight departures and arrivals may be impacted as the day progresses. We are closely monitoring the situation and are making operational adjustments wherever required to keep journeys moving as smoothly as possible.”
“We recommend checking your latest flight status before leaving for the airport. As fog may also affect road traffic, keeping a little additional time in hand for your drive may help make your journey more comfortable. Should there be any changes to your flight, timely updates will be shared on your registered contact details and through our digital channels. Our teams remain attentive and ready to assist, and we will continue to keep you informed as conditions evolve. Here’s hoping for clearer skies soon,” Indigo added.
