Dense fog continued to blanket Delhi-NCR on December 31, following earlier disruptions to flights, trains, roads, and school closures, causing delays and cancellations at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The IMD issued a red alert as poor visibility worsened toxic air quality hours before New Year's Eve, though light rain is forecast to bring relief.
Building on the dense fog that disrupted travel across Delhi-NCR on December 29, the weather phenomenon persisted into December 31, 2025, severely impacting flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Reports from India Today noted delays and cancellations early Wednesday, with Hindustan Times highlighting airline advisories for passengers to check flight status.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) escalated to a red alert for fog, prompting use of Category-III (CAT-III) operations for low-visibility landings. Air quality deteriorated further, with the AQI in 'very poor' territory, amplifying health risks amid winter pollution.
This New Year's Eve timing added inconvenience for travelers, with airlines like IndiGo issuing advisories. However, IMD forecasts light rain, potentially easing conditions. The back-to-back episodes highlight Delhi-NCR's recurring winter challenges with fog and smog.