Wed Jan 15 18:03:25 UTC 2025: ## Delhi Fog Disrupts Flights and Trains, City Under Orange Alert

**New Delhi, January 15** – A thick blanket of fog engulfed Delhi on Wednesday, causing significant travel disruptions. The season’s first major fog event, lasting three hours from 8:30 am to 11:30 am, led to over 100 flight cancellations and delays and impacted 26 trains. Visibility dropped to zero at Safdarjung and Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport during the peak of the fog, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an orange alert.

The IMD reported very dense fog in several areas, with visibility improving slightly to 250 meters at Safdarjung and 400 meters at IGI Airport by midday. Even with improved visibility, Category III operations at the airport were extended past 9:30 am due to reduced visibility. The minimum temperature plunged to a chilly 6 degrees Celsius, 1.4 degrees below normal, while the maximum reached only 18.1 degrees Celsius, 1.8 degrees below normal. High humidity levels, fluctuating between 95 and 97 percent, contributed to the dense fog conditions.

Authorities advised caution, urging drivers to use fog lights and exercise extreme care. Passengers were advised to check with airlines and railway authorities for schedule updates. The IMD predicted light rain or drizzle throughout the day and forecast cloudy skies with light rain and dense fog for Thursday, with temperatures expected to hover around 10-17 degrees Celsius.

Adding to the city’s woes, the 24-hour air quality index (AQI) remained in the “very poor” category, registering 386.

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