Dense fog engulfs Delhi for third day in a row; GRAP III curbs lifted as AQI improves

The decision came as the CAQM sub-committee noted an improvement in the AQI. Owing to favourable meteorological conditions and better wind speed, the AQI of Delhi has been continuously improving and was recorded at 339 at 4 pm and 335 at 5 pm and the trend/forecast indicates AQI levels to further go down… to remain in the ‘poor’ category in the coming days…,” the order said.

Meanwhile, for the third day in a row, Delhi grappled with dense fog conditions on Sunday causing several flight and rail disruptions. Monday, however, may see some respite as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light rain.

On Sunday, visibility at Palam was zero for 3.5 hours from 4 am to 7.30 am. This was better than the nine hours of zero visibility conditions on Saturday, said the IMD. Visibility later improved over Palam to 100 m at 8.30 am as wind speed increased from 10 kmph to 13 kmph.

At Safdarjung, minimum visibility of 50 m was reported at 5.30 am. The dense fog conditions lifted and moderate fog was later reported at 8.30 am as the wind speed picked up from 4 kmph to 6 kmph, said the IMD.

According to flight tracking website Flightradar24, 342 flights, including arrivals and departures, were delayed and 28 flights cancelled. Delhi Airport officials said no flight diversions were reported.

The Indira Gandhi International Airport issued a passenger advisory at 12.10 pm: “Low visibility procedures are still in progress at Delhi Airport. However, there has been no impact on flight operations. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information.”

Several trains at New Delhi Railway Station were also delayed due to the dense fog conditions.

Meanwhile, the air quality in Delhi remained in the ‘very poor’ category for the fourth consecutive day on Sunday. The AQI was 339, slightly better than Saturday’s 378, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.

The air quality is generally impacted when the smog thickens as temperatures dip, along with reduced wind speeds. However, respite is likely soon as the weather department has forecast very light to light rain with a generally cloudy sky on Monday.

It has also forecast moderate fog on Tuesday and Thursday, dense fog on Wednesday and rain or thunderstorms on Saturday (January 11).

The minimum temperature on Sunday was 9.4 degrees Celsius, which is above normal by 2.5 notches, and the maximum was 18.6 degrees Celsius which is 1.6 notches below normal. According to the IMD forecast, the minimum temperature will hover around 7 degrees Celsius during the week and a marginal increase in the maximum is forecast due to the western disturbance which is forecast by the IMD.

The maximum is forecast to hover between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius, bringing a respite from cold day conditions which usually impacts the capital this time of the year. The IMD says a “cold day” is when the maximum temperature is 4.5 degrees Celsius to 6.4 degrees Celsius below normal, with the minimum also being below or equal to 10 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, as per the IMD’s press release, heavy rainfall or snowfall is forecast in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh on Monday. The forecast stated, “Dense fog conditions during late night to early morning hours likely to continue over parts of North India till January 9.”