The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of very dense fog across several states, prompting travel advisories. The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has alerted passengers about possible delays in flight operations due to poor visibility.

Fog Conditions in Delhi and Surrounding Areas

On Tuesday morning, Delhi experienced extremely low visibility. At 6:00 AM, visibility at IGI Airport was just 200 metres, and the temperature was 8°C.

The IMD predicts that fog will persist during early morning hours, affecting roads, rail, and air travel.

IGI Airport Advisory:

• Flight operations are running under CAT III conditions.

• Both arrivals and departures are ongoing, though some flights may face delays.

• Passengers are urged to check with airlines for updated flight information.

States Likely to Face Dense Fog

The IMD forecasts very dense fog in:

• East Uttar Pradesh

• Haryana

• Chandigarh

• Madhya Pradesh

• Punjab

Dense fog may also occur in large parts of:

• Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Sikkim, and West Uttar Pradesh.

Travel Advisory:

• Drive at reduced speeds and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.

• Use fog lights instead of high beams.

• Avoid non-essential early morning travel.

• Follow traffic and weather updates closely.

The IMD advised, “Stay alert, stay safe, and plan your travel wisely.“

School Closures in Lucknow Due to Cold Wave

The Lucknow district administration has ordered schools for Classes 1–8 to remain closed until January 8 due to a severe cold wave.

• Schools for Classes 9–12 will operate with revised timings, starting from 10 AM.

Several cities in Uttar Pradesh, including Kanpur, Etawah, Barabanki, Shahjahanpur, and Hardoi, have recorded minimum temperatures below 5°C.

Delhi-NCR Air Quality Update

Despite the fog, air quality in Delhi-NCR has improved slightly. Delhi recorded an AQI of 279, which is still categorized as poor by the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app as of 6:00 AM on January 6.