New Delhi, Dec 31: The operations of over 90 flights were affected at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on Sunday as visibility dropped to 50 metres due to dense fog in Delhi. However, the operations at IGIA resumed shortly after 11 AM on Sunday.
Earlier in the day, all flights to and from the national capital are on standby and no operations are active as of now due to low visibility, news agency ANI had reported. (ALSO READ: Air India Passenger, Flying to Muscat, Boards Flight to Mumbai; Airline Officials Suspended)
While 54 domestic flights were delayed and 17 diverted to other airports, eleven international flights were delayed and 8 were diverted due to the dense fog. So far there have been 4 cancellations, including three domestic and one international flight.
RK Jenamani, Director, IMD, Delhi area and IGI airport has been quoted by PTI as saying, “Runway visibility since 5.30 am has been between 50-75 metres. This is so far the worst fog we have experienced this year.”
Delhi airport has advanced technology for low-visibility landings, called CAT IIIB. As a result landings can take place with a visibility of 50 metres. However, for take-offs a minimum visibility of 125 metres is required.
On Saturday, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 7.2 degree Celsius; the maximum temperature was recorded at 22.6 degree Celsius. The Met Department has predicted further fall in temperature in coming days.
The poor visibility has also affected railway traffic in the national capital, with 15 trains cancelled, 57 arriving late and 18 been rescheduled. Yesterday, 13 trains were cancelled due to low visibility and operational reasons whereas, 36 others were delayed and two were rescheduled.
The Ministry of Railways on November 29 announced a detailed plan for cancellation and frequency reduction of trains traversing through fog affected areas in order to manage the train operations. This plan was implemented from December 1 and would continue till February 13 next.
(With PTI inputs)