Delhi on Monday recorded its lowest temperature of this winter season at 3.3 degrees Celsius -- four notches below the season's average, as the national capital battled an intense cold wave and dense fog. As the intense spell of cold prevailed in North India, dense fog affected visibility interrupting train and flight operations in many parts.
On Monday, the national capital was wrapped in a blanket of thick fog which disrupted the operations of 18 trains and several flights due to poor visibility, reported IANS. The lowest visibilty was recorded at Delhi's Safdarjung and Palam at 2 a.m. The IMD classifies fog on the basis of intensity into four different types: shallow, moderate, dense, and very dense fog.
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The visibilty of these classfiications ranges from 999 m to 500 m, 499 m t 200 m, 199 m to 5 m, and less than 50 m, respectively.
Meanwhile, numerous areas in Delhi experienced 'severe' air quality that prompted the weather office to issue a red alert. The cold weather conditions and intense fog also added to the situation.
The IMD forecast has predicted dense fog until Tuesday until January 16.
The Delhi airport also issued an advisory requesting passengers to contact airlines before travelling because of the dense foggy conditions prevailing in the capital.
"Due to dense fog, flight operations at Delhi Airport may be affected. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information," read the Airport authority's post on 'X'.
Around 10 flights were diverted and about 100 others, including overseas services, were delayed by the Delhi airport authorities in view of dense fog.
As per a press release issued by the Indian Meteorological Department on January 14, North India will likely experience "dense to very dense fog" conditions during the next 4-5 days.