Delhi encountered light rainfall on Wednesday, with weather forecasts predicting an approaching thunderstorm accompanied by brisk winds at 30-40 kmph, after the city was shrouded in dense morning fog. The recorded minimum temperature in the capital was 7.3 degrees Celsius, slightly below the seasonal average.
Central Delhi, including Connaught Place, observed a brief period of rain. The weather office anticipates further light rain, thundershowers, and gusty winds later in the evening or night, potentially offering relief from the foggy conditions prevailing in the capital.
The city further experienced a traffic jam in New Delhi’s ITO area amid the rainfall.
Officials, as reported by PTI, mentioned that a thick layer of fog disrupted flight and train operations in the national capital on Wednesday morning.
At 6.30 am, the Indira Gandhi International Airport reported zero visibility due to dense fog, persisting until 9 am, according to the PTI report. Flight operations at the Delhi airport were impacted, with at least three flights being diverted due to bad weather, as stated by an official. Additionally, several trains experienced delays owing to the extremely dense fog.
Weather fluctuations are expected to continue until February 3 due to a western disturbance, with further changes anticipated thereafter, according to a senior official.
The IMD's seven-day forecast indicates a minimum temperature of 7.3 degrees Celsius on January 31, decreasing to 6 degrees on February 2.
The IMD predicts above-normal rainfall (more than 122% of the long-term average) in northern India in February. Rainfall is expected to be normal to above normal across most of northeast, central, and northwest India, but below normal across the south peninsula, according to the weather office.
The IMD predicts above-normal maximum temperatures in the northwest, west-central, and northeast India, as well as some parts of east-central India, in February.
Official data until Tuesday revealed that the average maximum temperature in Delhi for this month until January 30 is 17.7 degrees Celsius, marking the lowest in 13 years.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted dense fog and light rain or thundershowers, accompanied by gusty winds at most places, on Tuesday. The IMD mentioned a likelihood of a western disturbance affecting the city around January 31, leading to the possibility of light rain and a slight temperature drop on January 31 or February 1.
A yellow alert has been issued in the national capital until February 2, cautioning about dense fog. Thursday is expected to bring a generally cloudy sky, moderate to dense fog, and very light rain.
Flight cancellations and delays occurred on Wednesday due to dense fog, affecting nearly 300 flights. Travellers are advised to stay updated on weather conditions as fog-related disruptions may persist in the coming days.