The National Capital greeted its residents with a familiar scene on Saturday morning (January 27) – a chilly and brisk start to the day, with temperatures dipping into the single digits. This abrupt drop in temperature followed by dense fog posed challenges for travellers, particularly those relying on air and rail travel, as delays became a common occurrence.
The Delhi Airport recorded an average delay of 16 minutes, a total of 197 flights experienced delays, while 9 were outright cancelled. The thick fog blanketing the region exacerbated the situation, causing further disruptions to flight schedules.
Dense fog in north India
Dense fog is forecasted during the morning hours in scattered locations of Rajasthan on January 27-29. Additionally, on January 27 and 28, similar conditions are anticipated in Uttarakhand, West Madhya Pradesh, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Odisha, Assam & Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura.
Moreover, dense to very dense fog conditions are expected during the night and morning hours in the majority of Uttar Pradesh, specific regions of Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, as well as isolated areas in Bihar until January 31.
Delhi weather update
Delhi experienced a chilly start on Saturday, with the mercury dropping to 4.3 degrees Celsius, marking a significant deviation of four notches below the seasonal average, according to the India Meteorological Department. Despite the cold conditions, the city grappled with severe pollution levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to 402 at 9 am, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board.
The IMD forecasts a primarily clear sky for the day, with the maximum temperature expected to reach around 22 degrees Celsius. Additionally, the humidity level stood at a high of 97 percent as of 8:30 am.