Image Source hindustantimes
NEW DELHI – The heart of North India vanished beneath a spectral white shroud this morning as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) sounded a Red Warning for “very dense fog.” What was meant to be a bustling Saturday morning turned into a standstill, as a literal “wall of fog” clamped down on Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, reducing visibility to a terrifying zero meters in several critical pockets.
The Great Standstill
The impact on the nation’s transport arteries has been immediate and severe. As of 10:00 AM, the Northern Railways reported that over 30 trains are running late, with some delayed by more than six hours. Passengers at New Delhi and Old Delhi stations found themselves huddled under blankets on platforms, watching digital boards flicker with a growing list of “Rescheduled” notices.
At Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), the scene was equally chaotic. While CAT-III landing systems allowed some operations to continue, the plummeting visibility triggered the cancellation of 66 flights, leaving thousands of travelers stranded in the terminals.
By the Numbers: Today’s Deep Freeze
Delhi (Safdarjung) Visibility (at 5:30 AM) < 50 meters , Warning LevelRed (Take Action)
Amritsar, Punjab Visibility (at 5:30 AM)0–25 meters, Warning Level Red (Take Action)
Chandigarh Visibility (at 5:30 AM)< 50 meters, Warning Level Red (Take Action)
Hisar, Haryana Visibility (at 5:30 AM)< 50 meters, Warning Level Red (Take Action)
- A “Cold Wave” is Coming
The IMD has warned that the worst is not over. While the fog created a ghostly morning, a Cold Wave is predicted to grip Delhi-NCR and neighboring states from January 3 to January 6.
“We are seeing a perfect storm of high humidity and calm winds,” noted an IMD senior scientist. “The ‘Red Warning’ isn’t just a color; it’s a plea for citizens to ‘Take Action.’ Do not drive unless absolutely necessary, and if you must, use fog lights and maintain extreme distance.”
Travel & Safety Advisory
- For Motorists: Avoid the Delhi-Meerut Expressway and NH-44 during early morning hours; multiple minor pile-ups have already been reported due to poor depth perception.
- For Rail/Air Travelers: Check the NTES (National Train Enquiry System) or your airline’s app before leaving for the station or airport.
- Health Alert: With the Air Quality Index (AQI) lingering in the Poor’ to ‘Very Poor’ category, the dense fog is trapping pollutants close to the ground. Those with respiratory issues are advised to stay indoors.
The northern plains are expected to remain under this icy, opaque veil for at least the next 48 hours.
