10 flights diverted as dense fog hits Delhi airport

The national capital experienced the season's first dense fog on Wednesday with the visibility dropping to zero at the Delhi airport.

As many as 10 flights were diverted and many were delayed at the Delhi airport on Wednesday morning as low visibility conditions impacted operations, according to officials.

One of the officials said nine flights were diverted to Jaipur and 1 to Lucknow since 7 am due to bad weather on Wednesday.

Many flights were delayed due to low visibility conditions and the situation improved later, the second official said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that very dense fog began forming around 5.30 am, resulting in a thick haze over different parts of the national capital.

Zero-metre visibility was recorded at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at 8.30 am with the Runway Visual Range varying between 125 and 500 metres at different locations, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Meanwhile, the air quality remained in the 'very poor' category for the 15th consecutive day, with a reading of 366 at 9 am.

Two monitoring stations, including Anand Vihar and Aya Nagar, reported the air quality in the 'severe' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.

Humidity was recorded at 92 per cent at 8.30 am.

The weather department has forecast shallow fog for the day, with the maximum temperature expected to settle at 32 degrees Celsius.