As the winter season intensifies its hold, Delhi, India’s national capital, finds itself engulfed in a thick blanket of fog, significantly affecting daily life and travel. This dense fog not only disrupts the rhythm of the bustling city but also poses challenges for air and ground transportation, leading to a series of precautionary measures and advisories.
Dense Fog Envelops Delhi: A Closer Look at the Impact
The onset of a severe cold wave has led to the formation of a dense fog layer across various parts of Delhi. This natural phenomenon has drastically reduced visibility in many areas, impeding the normal flow of traffic. Early morning commuters, in particular, are facing considerable delays. The foggy conditions have also led to the cancellation and delay of several trains, creating a ripple effect of disruption throughout the national capital.
Navigating Air Travel: Delhi Airport’s Advisory Amidst Fog
Delhi Airport has been a focal point of attention, issuing crucial advisories in response to the foggy conditions. Despite the challenging weather, the airport maintains its operations, with landings and takeoffs proceeding as scheduled. However, there’s a significant caveat – flights that are not equipped with CAT III (Category III) compliance may experience disruptions. This advisory underscores the importance for passengers to stay in contact with their airlines to receive the latest updates on their flights, particularly regarding CAT III compliance.
Understanding CAT III Compliance in Aviation
CAT III-compliant aircraft are those outfitted with sophisticated technology and instrumentation, enabling them to operate safely even in low-visibility environments like dense fog. Aircraft that lack this compliance may face delays or cancellations, a necessary measure to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
Weather Alerts and Visibility Challenges in Delhi
The situation in Delhi has led to the issuance of an orange alert by the Meteorological Department. This alert, issued at 8 am, came as visibility in several parts of the city dropped to around 50 meters. In terms of the IMD’s color-coded alerts, a ‘yellow’ signifies a need for awareness, ‘orange’ indicates a need for preparation, and ‘red’ demands the highest level of vigilance and action.
Regional Weather Forecast: Northern India Under Fog’s Grip
The weather scenario extends beyond Delhi, affecting several northern regions of India, including Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The regional meteorological center has forecasted dense to very dense fog in these areas, with isolated places in Uttarakhand also expecting similar conditions.
The On-the-Ground Reality: Disruptions and Delays
The practical implications of this dense fog were palpable on Tuesday, as visibility dropped significantly in various areas. This led to delays in flight schedules at Delhi Airport due to low visibility, with airport authorities working tirelessly to manage the situation. The recorded visibility at Delhi’s primary weather stations – Safdarjung and Palam – was 200 meters and 100 meters respectively at 5.30 am, highlighting the severity of the fog.
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