Thick layer of smog blankets Delhi Photo: PTI Thick layer of smog blankets Delhi Photo: PTI A dense blanket of fog once again engulfed national capital Delhi on Saturday morning reducing the visibility to zero in several areassuper jili, the weather department said.
The adverse weather conditions significantly affected the regular flight and train operations as hundreds of flights and several trains were delayed across north India.
For Delhi, India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted a partly cloudy sky on Saturday, with predominant surface winds from the northwest at speeds of less than 4 kmph in the morning.
free spins no depositModerate fog and smog are expected in most areas, with dense fog in isolated places during the morning. Wind speeds are likely to increase to 4-6 kmph in the afternoon, before decreasing to less than 4 kmph from the southwest direction in the evening and night.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) 4 PM data, Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI on Friday was recorded at 371, falling in the “very poor” category which prompted the reimposition of stage three of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
Flight ops hit in DelhiSince Friday, hundreds of flights have been either delayed or diverted at the Delhi airport owing to zero or near-zero visibility in some areas due to dense fog.
Over 250 flights were delayed, and around 40 were cancelled due to the prevailing conditions.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport experienced very dense fog with visibility recorded at 0 metres. The Met Department said all runways are operating under CAT-III, which allows aircraft to operate in low visibility conditions.
“While landing and takeoffs continue at Delhi Airport, flights that are not CAT-III compliant may be affected. Passengers are requested to contact their respective airlines for updated flight information. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted,” Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) said in a post on X at 6.35 am.
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GRAP 3 curbs back in Delhi-NCR amid rise in air pollution levelsIn view of the prevailing weather conditions, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Friday reimposed stage 3 curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). CAQM is responsible for strategizing air pollution mitigation in Delhi-NCR.
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GRAP Stage 3, which was lifted last Friday, entails a ban on non-essential construction work.
Classes up to grade V are required to shift to hybrid mode under Stage 3. Parents and students have the option to choose online education wherever available.
Under Stage 3, the use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars (4-wheelers) is restricted in Delhi and nearby NCR districts. Persons with disabilities are exempt.
India then beat Korea 3-1 before eking out a narrow 2-1 win over arch-rivals Pakistan.
Stage 3 also bans non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles with BS-IV or older standards in Delhi.super jili