IMD warns of 'very dense' fog; 58 flights diverted due to Captain Minima regulations

Notably, 'Captain Minima' refers to the minimum operating standards that pilots must meet for landing, and these standards can lead to diversions if adverse weather conditions prevent compliance. Fog-related disruptions at Delhi airport have posed a significant challenge for airlines, leading to the activation of Captain Minima regulations.

"Several northern regions of India, including Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi, are expected to experience dense fog with visibility dropping below 50 meters in the early morning and nighttime hours on December 28 and 29, 2023," the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

In Uttar Pradesh, there is a likelihood of very dense fog with visibility ranging between 50 to 200 meters during the same period.

Further, on December 30, 2023, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi are anticipated to witness very dense fog in some areas with visibility between 50 to 200 meters in the morning and nighttime. Uttarakhand may also experience dense fog on December 28 and 29, with visibility ranging between 50 to 200 meters, IMD said.

In Punjab, dense fog is expected on December 30 and 31, 2023, during the early morning and nighttime hours, with visibility ranging between 50 to 200 meters. The foggy conditions are likely to persist over Punjab, Haryana, extreme north Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and northwest Madhya Pradesh, as per recent satellite imagery observed at 5:30 pm on December 28, the weather department said.

The weather department reported dense fog in isolated pockets of Punjab and shallow to moderate fog in isolated pockets of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, West Madhya Pradesh, and West Rajasthan at 5:30 pm on December 28.

Visibility recorded at this time indicated poor visibility levels in various locations, including Amritsar, Ludhiana, Ambala, Varanasi, Agra, and Gwalior, IMD said.