Dense fog disrupts air, train services in Indian capital

A thick blanket of fog enveloped the Indian capital early Tuesday morning, severely disrupting air and rail services.

Over a dozen flights were delayed and at least two flights cancelled, while more than 50 trains were delayed and some six cancelled due to dense fog cover, officials said, adding that vehicle movement on roads in the national capital and its adjoining areas also slowed down due to low visibility.

"At Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, seven international flights and six domestic flights were delayed and two flights cancelled as runway visibility dropped to below normal," a senior aviation official said.

Some 55 trains were delayed and at least six cancelled due to fog, a senior railway official said, adding that the situation is gradually returning to normal.

Office-goers and school-goers have also been hit as dense fog slowed down the movement of cars and other vehicles on roads. "Fortunately there have been no reports of any mishap in the Indian capital due to fog," a senior traffic police official said.

Fog is common in northern India in the intense winter months of December and January. And low visibility often leads to road accidents. Endit