Dense fog and poor visibility in New Delhi caused significant disruptions on Christmas morning, delaying 20 trains, including major services like the Mumbai Central Rajdhani Express and the Dakshin Express. The combination of dense fog, low temperatures, and reduced visibility created challenging conditions for travelers and commuters.

Among the delayed trains were the Mumbai Central Rajdhani Express (New Delhi to Mumbai), the Durg-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express (Durg to Delhi), the Dakshin Express (Delhi to Hyderabad), the Duronto Express, and the Jabalpur-Hazrat Nizamuddin Gondwana Express (Jabalpur to Delhi), along with several other services.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the temperature in the city was recorded at 10°C, with visibility dropping to just 100 meters at 5:30 am due to the thick fog. “The temperatures have dropped significantly due to the rain yesterday. We are using bonfires to keep warm,” said a local resident speaking to ANI. Another local expressed concerns about the lack of visibility caused by the fog.

In addition to the fog, the city’s air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 333, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board at 8 am. Other areas in the city had similarly high AQI readings: Anand Vihar at 360, Ashok Vihar at 372, Bayana at 362, and CRRI Mathura Road at 324.

AQI ratings are categorized as follows: 0-50 (good), 51-100 (satisfactory), 101-200 (moderate), 201-300 (poor), 301-400 (very poor), and 401-500 (severe). “The pollution and the cold weather have become very harsh. People are suffering from breathing difficulties,” said another local resident.

The winter chill was further intensified by moderate rain on December 24, exacerbating the already harsh conditions.