The northern states of India continue to face severe colds, resulting in widespread disruption to travel. On Friday, dense fog at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport caused delays for 202 flights. Similarly, many trains originating from Delhi and Agra were delayed due to poor visibility.
Dense fog is affecting 14 states. Amritsar and many other districts in Punjab, including Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Kapurthala, and Patiala, are witnessing severe disruptions due to dense fog, with visibility dropping to nearly 50 meters in most areas. The situation at Sri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport, Amritsar, has been particularly dire, with visibility dropping to zero since 10 PM on January 2. Flight operations have been impacted here. Apart from this, Jammu and Kashmir.
Weather Update and Forecast
According to the weather department, a slight relief from the cold is expected as temperatures in Punjab and Chandigarh may rise by 2 to 3 degrees over the next five days. A western disturbance active in Iran and cyclonic circulation over Jammu and Kashmir is expected to bring rainfall to Punjab on January 5 and 6. This could lead to a shift in the weather conditions, potentially clearing the fog.
Despite these predictions, no weather alerts have been issued for Punjab and Chandigarh today. However, fog is likely to persist in many districts, accompanied by partial cloud cover.
Impact on Airport and flights
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Delhi: dense fog at Indira Gandhi International Airport delayed 202 flights, creating significant travel disruption.
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Amritsar and Srinagar: Zero visibility due to fog led to the closure of flight operations at Amritsar Airport in Punjab.
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Srinagar: Similarly, flight operations were halted in Srinagar, Jammu, and Kashmir, due to heavy snowfall and reduced visibility.
Snowfall and extreme temperatures in Himachal Pradesh
Snowfall has intensified the cold in the mountainous regions. Himachal Pradesh has recorded sub-zero temperatures in several areas impacting delays and cancellation of flights.
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Tabo: -14.7°C
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Samdo: -9.3°C
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Kukumseri: -6.9°C
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Kalpa: -2°C
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Manali: 2.8°C
How to check flight status during adverse weather
Travelers can take the following steps to stay updated on flight status amid such conditions:
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Airline websites and mobile apps: most airlines provide real-time flight status updates on their official platforms.
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Airport helplines: contact the helpline numbers of the respective airports for the latest information.
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Flight Tracking Apps: use apps like FlightRadar2 or FlightAware to track flight movements in real-time.
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SMS Alert: sign up for SMS updates from airlines during ticket booking.
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Social Media: Following airport and airline social media accounts for quick updates and announcements.
Steps to check train status during harsh weather conditions
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Use the official Indian Railways platform: use the NTES (National Train Enquiry System) website: https://enquiry.indianrail.gov.in/ or download the NTES Mobile app from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store for real-time train updates.
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IRCTC Website and App: login to the IRCTC website or the official mobile app or navigate to the “Track your Train” section to find the current location and status of your train.
As the cold wave and dense fog continue, travelers are advised to stay informed and plan accordingly to minimize disruptions to their journeys.