Dense fog enveloped New Delhi on Friday morning, leading to the delay of over 65 flights at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The low visibility, caused by thick fog, affected major routes in the city, as seen from areas like Akshardham, Lodhi Road, and Shankar Road.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the cold wave will persist over the next few days, with temperatures expected to rise slightly after that. The IMD also issued a warning that dense to very dense fog would continue in Delhi through the weekend, potentially affecting visibility further.

In an advisory issued by Delhi International Airport Limited at 6:35 am, travelers were urged to check with their airlines for possible delays. While flight operations were normal at that point, the poor visibility could lead to disruptions later in the day. On Friday, Delhi’s minimum temperature settled at 8.5°C, and the maximum was expected to reach 20°C. The dense fog conditions are anticipated to last through the weekend, with light to moderate rainfall predicted for Monday, January 6.

The city’s air quality remained a concern, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 223 in the “very poor” category early on Friday. This marks the fourth consecutive day that Delhi’s AQI has been in the “very poor” range, showing a slight deterioration each day. The ongoing poor air quality, combined with the fog, has made for challenging conditions in the capital.