Flights to and from Leh Suspended Due to Snowfall
IndiGo issued a travel advisory stating that flight operations at Leh airport were temporarily put on hold due to snowfall. Both take-offs and landings were affected, resulting in longer waiting times onboard and at the airport.
The airline said boarding formalities may be completed in advance so that flights can depart quickly once clearance is received. Passengers were advised to check their latest flight status before heading to the airport and were offered options to rebook or seek refunds if their flights were impacted.
SpiceJet also issued a similar advisory, warning that all arrivals and departures to and from Leh (IXL), along with consequential flights, could be affected due to bad weather.
Fog and Low Visibility Impact Flights in Several Cities
Low visibility caused by fog disrupted flight schedules at multiple airports across the country. IndiGo said that fog and poor visibility conditions in Bhopal and Udaipur could affect flight operations.
Early-morning fog was also expected to impact visibility in Hyderabad, Ranchi, Agartala, Dehradun, Guwahati and Bhubaneswar, potentially disrupting departures and arrivals during the early hours.
Airlines said their teams were closely monitoring weather conditions and urged passengers to stay updated through official websites and mobile applications.
Gorakhpur Flights Also Affected
SpiceJet said that due to poor visibility in Gorakhpur (GOP), all departures and arrivals, along with consequential flights, might be impacted. Passengers were requested to regularly check their flight status before travelling to the airport.
Cold Wave and Fog Grip North India
Winter conditions intensified across north India as temperatures dipped and fog reduced visibility in several regions. In Delhi on Sunday, the maximum temperature was recorded at 17.3 degrees Celsius, two degrees below the seasonal average, while the minimum temperature settled at 7.4 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
A cold wave is expected to affect isolated parts of the national capital till January 6. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 307, falling in the ‘very poor’ category.
Rajasthan witnessed moderate to dense fog in many areas, with Fatehpur in Sikar district recording the lowest minimum temperature at 1.1 degrees Celsius.
Sub-Zero Temperatures in Kashmir
Kashmir continued to reel under severe cold conditions during Chilla-e-Kalan, the harshest winter phase. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, while Gulmarg remained the coldest place at minus 6.5 degrees Celsius.
The IMD has forecast light rain or snowfall at isolated places in higher reaches of Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh on January 5 and 6. Uttarakhand may also receive rain or snow on January 6, with the possibility of ground frost in isolated areas.
Advisory for Passengers
Airlines have advised passengers to:
- Check flight status before leaving for the airport
- Allow extra travel time due to fog-related delays
- Opt for rebooking or refunds if flights are impacted
With weather conditions expected to remain challenging over the next few days, passengers are urged to plan their journeys carefully and stay updated through official airline channels.
