India Weather Today: Dense fog envelops Delhi skies, flight ops impacted amid low visibility in parts of India

Dense fog prevailed over skies in parts of India, including New Delhi, with the air quality deteriorating to “very poor” and “severe” categories in some areas, according to the Air Quality Early Warning Systems (EWS).

The visibility at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport was recorded to be 600 metres in shallow fog conditions as of 9 am, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting improvement to 1200 metres in moderate fog conditions around 2.30 pm.

Low visibility resulted in flight disruptions in several parts of India, including Delhi, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, and Guwahati, with airlines issuing advisories for travellers to ensure their safety and convenience.

VIDEO | Delhi: Morning visuals from Anand Vihar show a dense layer of smog as the area’s AQI remains over 400, in the ‘severe’ category, according to CPCB. Anti-smog guns and water sprinklers are deployed in an effort to curb pollution and improve air quality.#DelhiAQI… pic.twitter.com/M1E6MTfJTo

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 1, 2026

While at 372, the AQI in Delhi remained “very poor,” it touched 400 in Dwarka Sector 8, and above in Sonia Vihar (424), Anand Vihar (421), Wazirpur (414), Rohini (414), Mundka (413), Jahangirpuri (412) and Vivek Vihar (404), as of 5.30 am. Anti-smog guns and water sprinklers have been deployed in an effort to curb air pollution in these areas.

The rehearsals for the Republic Day parade 2026 continued amid dense fog conditions at Delhi’s Kartavya Path, as per visuals shared by news agency PTI.

VIDEO | Delhi: Parade rehearsals continue at Kartavya Path as part of preparations for this year’s Republic Day, with marching contingents and coordinated drill formations on display.#RepublicDay2026 #KartavyaPath #Delhi

(Full video available on PTI Videos -… pic.twitter.com/1UOxdaEqgj

A thick layer of smog also engulfed parts of Rajasthan, casting a mystical glow over the city amid low visibility. Here are visuals from the Amer Fort area: VIDEO | Rajasthan: A layer of fog engulfs Amer Fort, casting a mystical glow over the city as visibility drops across Jaipur.#JaipurFog #AmerFort #WinterMornings

Air India, early Thursday, issued a warning over X stating that low visibility conditions in parts of North India, including Delhi, “may impact flight schedules across the network.”

“Weather forecasts for tomorrow morning indicate low visibility due to fog in parts of northern India, including Delhi, which may impact flight schedules across the network… Our ‘FogCare’ initiative provides advance alerts to passengers on flights most likely to be affected. It offers the option for you to either reschedule your flight at no extra cost or receive a full refund,” the airline intimated its travelers late Wednesday.

Weather forecasts for tomorrow morning indicate low visibility due to fog in parts of northern India, including Delhi, which may impact flight schedules across the network.

— Air India (@airindia) December 31, 2025

It also advised the passengers to check the updated flight status on Air India’s official website, and allow extra time for traveling to the airport.

IndiGo airline too shared over a post on X, “Low visibility and fog over #Ranchi and #Bhubaneswar have impacted flight schedules. We are keeping a close watch on the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly.”

The airline requested the passengers to stay updated on their respective flight statuses through official websites. “We request you to stay updated on your flight status via our website or app. Be assured, our teams are here to assist you at every step and ensure support. Here is hoping clearer skies help us serve you better soon and thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time.”

Moreover, as the fog continued to linger over the North East, IndiGo also informed its passengers of slower flight movement at the Guwahati airport.

Low visibility and fog over #Ranchi and #Bhubaneswar have impacted flight schedules. We are keeping a close watch on the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly.

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) January 1, 2026

“Departures and arrivals to and from city, as well as certain routes across our network, may experience short delays as we work through the weather conditions,” the airline stated.

Visibility dropped significantly in Guwahati, as fog and haze enveloped the skies over the city in Assam, according to news agency PTI.

VIDEO | First sunrise of 2026: Early morning visuals show the red sun emerging through fog and haze over Guwahati, Assam.#NewYear2026 #Assam

SpiceJet also intimated its passengers of bad weather conditions in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya and Himachal Pradesh’s Dharamshala that might have an impact of its flight operations at the two airports.

“Due to bad weather (poor visibility) in Ayodhya (AYJ), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may be affected. Passengers are requested to keep a check on their flight status via http://spicejet.com/#status,” it wrote, with a similar message for passengers at DHM airport in Himachal’s Kangra.

#WeatherUpdate: Due to bad weather (poor visibility) in Ayodhya (AYJ), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may be affected. Passengers are requested to keep a check on their flight status via https://t.co/2wynECZugy.

— SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) January 1, 2026

Lucknow Airport too recorded low visibility early Thursday, which is likely to improve to 1200 metres by 9:30 am. The IMD predicted further improvement to 2000 meters between noon and 2 pm.

The iconic Taj Mahal in UP’s Agra was also visible through a faint veil of fog amid winter chill, news agency PTI reported.

VIDEO | Agra: The iconic Taj Mahal emerges through a faint veil of fog, its iconic silhouette glowing softly as the year begins amid winter chill.#TajMahal #Agra #NewYear2026

The New Year began on a drizzling note for Mumbaikars as several parts of the city witnessed heavy showers on Thursday morning.

The rains began shortly before 6 am. While it was more intense in several areas, many other places experienced drizzle. The intensity gradually reduced after 6.15 am, news agency PTI reported.