A severe cold wave accompanied by dense to very dense fog has severely disrupted air and rail travel across large parts of North India, with multiple flights delayed or diverted and train services running behind schedule, officials said on Monday. Weather authorities have warned that poor visibility conditions are likely to persist for the next few days, urging travellers to plan cautiously.
Key Highlights
- Flights at major North India airports delayed due to low visibility
- Rail services slowed as fog reduces visibility on tracks
- IMD warns dense fog to persist during early morning hours
- Passengers advised to check schedules before travel
Main Report: Fog Paralyzes Transport Network
Large parts of Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan woke up to extremely poor visibility, with fog density peaking during early morning hours. This led to significant disruption in flight operations and surface transport, particularly on high-traffic routes.
At the national capital’s airport, several flights were delayed as pilots struggled with visibility levels dropping sharply below safe landing thresholds. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued an advisory cautioning passengers about possible delays and asked them to stay in touch with airlines for real-time updates.
Some flights were forced to circle in the air or divert to alternate airports due to persistent fog at destination runways, officials confirmed.
Rail Services Also Affected
Dense fog also slowed down train movement across the Northern Railway zone. Trains were operated at reduced speeds as a safety measure, resulting in cascading delays on long-distance routes connecting Delhi, Lucknow, Amritsar and Chandigarh.
Passengers travelling early morning hours reported delays ranging from 30 minutes to several hours, particularly on mail and express services.
What Weather Officials Say
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), dense to very dense fog conditions are likely to continue over North India for the next 48 to 72 hours.
IMD officials said:
- Visibility may drop below 50 metres in isolated pockets
- Cold day conditions are expected to persist
- Early morning travel will remain most affected
The weather agency has advised transport authorities to maintain heightened alertness and passengers to avoid non-essential early morning travel where possible.
Impact on Daily Commuters & Travellers
The ongoing fog has created widespread inconvenience for:
- Air passengers, facing uncertainty over departures and arrivals
- Rail commuters, dealing with unpredictable delays
- Road users, especially on highways where visibility remains dangerously low
In Delhi-NCR and adjoining UP districts, traffic movement slowed considerably on arterial roads as drivers relied heavily on fog lights and reduced speeds.
Reader Takeaway: What Travellers Should Do
- Check flight and train status before leaving home
- Reach airports and stations well in advance
- Follow official advisories instead of social media rumours
- Avoid early morning road travel unless necessary
FAQs
Flights are delayed due to dense fog reducing runway visibility, making take-offs and landings unsafe.
Most trains are running at reduced speeds; delays are more common than cancellations.
IMD forecasts dense fog conditions to persist for the next few days, especially during mornings.
Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan are most impacted.
Disclaimer: Travel schedules may change at short notice due to weather conditions. Passengers should rely on official airline, railway and airport advisories.
