Flights cancelled, trains delayed as thick fog and toxic smog engulf Delhi

Dense fog engulfed Delhi on Monday morning, resulting in several flight cancellations and train delays, with visibility reducing to near zero and traffic slowing across the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for fog and urged residents to remain cautious. The IMD said that morning temperatures dropped to 12 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed the 456 mark, slipping into the “Severe Plus” category, with Ashok Vihar recording an AQI of 500 in the early hours of Monday.

Fog & smog distrupt flight and train operations

Poor visibility led to the cancellation of flights scheduled to depart from Indira Gandhi International Airport. More than 20 Air India flights and several IndiGo services were grounded as a safety measure.

"Poor visibility due to dense fog in Delhi this morning has impacted flight operations for all airlines. We are closely monitoring conditions and will resume operations as soon as it is safe to do so. In the interest of safety, and to avoid prolonged uncertainty for our guests, some flights have been cancelled," Air India said in an official statement.

Issuing an advisory, IndiGo also informed passengers about flight delays and cancellations.

"Due to dense fog in Delhi this morning, visibility has reduced drastically, impacting flight operations. As a precaution, some flights may be proactively cancelled through the day to prioritise safety and help minimise extended waiting at the airport. We understand how inconvenient this can be, especially when travel plans are important. Please be assured that our teams across airports are working continuously to manage operations as smoothly as possible, and keep you informed as the situation evolves," it said.

Delhi Airport's advisory also mentioned about flight disruptions and advised passengers to contact their respective airlines.

"Due to dense fog, flight operations may experience disruptions. We are working closely with all stakeholders to minimize inconvenience to passengers. For the latest flight updates, passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused," the advisory read.

Dense fog also affected Indian Railways operations in the Delhi Division, delaying around 60 trains, some by several hours.