Dense fog disrupts 134 flights, delays 22 trains in Delhi

New Delhi, December 28:  On Thursday morning revealed a frosty start for Delhi and its environs, swathed in dense fog as temperatures dipped to a bone-chilling 6 degrees Celsius in the city.

The thick fog drastically reduced visibility, practically obscuring roads and causing significant travel disruptions. Indira Gandhi International Airport witnessed the chaos as approximately 134 flights encountered delays, impacting both domestic and international travel. Among these were 35 delayed departures and 28 arrivals for international flights, along with 43 delayed domestic departures and 28 arrivals.

Meanwhile, New Delhi Railway Station grappled with delays affecting 22 trains, including services like the Howrah New Delhi Rajdhani and Jammu Tawi Rajdhani, prolonging wait times by over an hour for passengers braving the biting cold at the station.

The bone-chilling weather didn't deter a group of cyclists, who ventured onto Kartavya Path despite the foggy and cold conditions. Emphasizing safety precautions during foggy weather, one cyclist urged the use of fog lights for enhanced safety, regardless of whether on a bicycle or in a car, stressing that this measure could bolster safety by about 50 percent.

As rehearsals for the Republic Day parade persevered amid the persistent fog, concerns escalated in Ghaziabad, where parents advocated for revised school timings due to the extreme cold. Their plea highlighted health concerns for children amid the dropping temperatures, urging authorities to accommodate these harsh conditions.

Moreover, the prevailing cold wave isn't limited to Delhi alone, encompassing several North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Delhi-NCR, all experiencing a substantial dip in temperatures.

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The India Meteorological Department's cautionary outlook anticipates sustained dense to very dense fog enveloping Delhi on Thursday and Friday's nights and early mornings. Despite clear skies during the day, mornings are expected to bring persistent dense fog until December 29 due to conducive weather conditions for fog formation.

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Looking ahead, a ray of hope appears on the horizon with an active western disturbance expected to trigger rainfall in the Himalayan region from December 30 onward. This weather shift might bring relief to the Northern and central plains, potentially breaking the prevailing weather pattern by January 1.

School schedules altered amidst chilling conditions: Cold wave's impact

As the cold wave tightens its grip across North India, affecting adjoining regions of the national capital, Uttar Pradesh authorities have taken measures impacting school schedules.

In response to plummeting temperatures, the Uttar Pradesh government has ordered the closure of schools in various cities for Thursday and Friday. Notably, Ghaziabad's District Education Officer issued an order altering school timings for classes 1 to 8, rescheduling them from 10 am to 3 pm.

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Furthermore, in Jalaun, authorities have declared the closure of schools for classes 1 to 8, extending the break until December 31.

This move aligns with the state government's broader decision to implement a winter vacation lasting 15 days, spanning from December 31, 2023, to January 14, 2024. The precautionary step aims to mitigate the impact of the ongoing cold wave that has enveloped several northern regions of India, ensuring the safety and well-being of students amidst these harsh weather conditions.

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