India: 300 flights delayed in Delhi

APD NEWS

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By APD writer Rishika Chauhan

NEW DELHI, January 2 (APD): Monday was the coldest and most polluted day in recent years in New Delhi. As the temperature dropped to 5.7° Celsius, fog significantly reduced visibility causing flight delays at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.

On Monday more than 300 flights were delayed due to poor visibility on the runway.

Around 15 trains starting from Delhi were also cancelled, while more than 50 were delayed.

The visibility at the airport is expected to drop further in the coming days. According to experts, visibility could drop to less than 200 metres from 3.30am to 9.30am on Tuesday, though it would improve after 9:30am.

Speaking about the weather conditions, an official at the regional weather forecasting centre said, “The last time Delhi witnessed such low temperature on January 1 was in 2013 when the mercury dipped to 4° Celsius.”

The air quality has also again deteriorated, stabilizing at below the “severe” zone. The traffic in New Delhi has been affected by New Year celebrations at areas like the India Gate.

Thousands of people were stuck for hours in traffic in New Delhi on Monday. Slow traffic movement particularly affected central Delhi.

It is being anticipated that the temperature will drop to 4° Celsius on Thursday night.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)