Dense fog hits flight, train operations in North India again
What's the story
The fog situation in Delhi is getting worse. After two hours of suspension of flight operations yesterday, services were halted for four hours today at the IGI Airport. The terminals were crowded as hundreds were left stranded after visibility dropped below 50m. Train movement was severely hit too: schedules of 76 were affected while 14 were cancelled. Here's more.
Twitter Post
Twitter user posts photo of fog
They say start the new year with a blank slate but this is overdoing it. #DelhiFog pic.twitter.com/sL5Epr5dyd
— Akshay Vijayakar (@akvjkar) January 1, 2018
Operations
Annoyed passengers crowd airport terminal
Departure of flights was suspended since 6am. Take-off resumed shortly before 11am. A number of aircraft were queued up on the tarmac. Departure needs a minimum visibility of 125m. The airport premises were teeming with passengers. Many were seen sitting on floors and staircases. Several argued with airlines staff about inadequate information. ANI reports 12 flights were delayed and one cancelled.
Twitter Post
Delhi Police release traffic advisory
— Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) January 1, 2018
Pollution
Delhi starts the year with a dip in air quality
On the new year, pollution levels once again went for a toss in the capital. Particulate matter levels reached "very poor" this morning. According to government data, there were 9,149 deaths due to respiratory diseases in 2016, up 40% from 6,502 in 2015. Though there are currently three pollution plans, only one, the Graded Response Action Plan, is officially in play.