NEW DELHI: Over 90 flights were affected this morning as visibility dropped to 50 metres due to dense fog at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here, the heaviest this year.
The Air Quality Index (IMD), in the national Capital, was recorded at 398 on Sunday afternoon, which is considered to be under the "very poor" air quality.
While 54 domestic flights were delayed and 17 diverted to other airports, eleven international flights were delayed and eight were diverted due to the dense fog, according to flight information available on the airport's website.
So far there have been 4 cancellations, including three domestic and one international flight, according to the information.
RK Jenamani, Director, Indian Meteorlogical Department (IMD), Delhi area and IGI airport said, "Runway visibility since 5.30 am has been between 50-75 metres. This is so far the worst fog we have experienced this year."
Delhi airport has advanced technology for low-visibility landings, called CAT IIIB.
As a result, landings can take place with a visibility of 50 metres. However, for take-offs, a minimum visibility of 125 metres is required.
Meanwhile, at least 15 trains were cancelled, 57 delayed and 18 rescheduled due to fog in several parts of northern India.
The minimum temperature recorded at 6.4 degrees Celsius, a notch below the season's average, the weather office said. The humidity at 8.30 a.m. was 97 per cent and visibility stood at 400 metres.
"The sky would remain clear in the day ahead," an official of the IMD said.
The maximum temperature is likely to hover around 22 and minimum at 6 degrees Celsius.
Saturday's minimum temperature recorded at 7.2 degrees Celsius while the maximum temperature settled at 22.6 degrees Celsius, two notches above the season's average.