A severe cold wave and dense fog have affected train services in North India, leading to significant delays on January 3, 2025. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an “Orange Alert” for Delhi-NCR, warning of extremely low visibility, which has caused disruptions in rail operations, particularly departing trains from Delhi.
At least 24 trains departing from Delhi were delayed due to reduced visibility caused by the fog. Some notable delays include the Ayodhya Express running 4 hours late, the Gorakh Express delayed by 2 hours and 50 minutes, and the Bihar Kranti Express running behind schedule by 3 hours and 20 minutes.
Here is a list of some of the most delayed trains:
- Gorakh Dham Express – Late by 172 minutes
- Farakka Express – Late by 161 minutes
- Bihar Sampark Kranti Express – Late by 198 minutes
- Mahabodhi Express – Late by 255 minutes
- Kalindi Express – Late by 181 minutes
- Brahmaputra Express – Late by 229 minutes
- Shram Shakti Express – Late by 129 minutes
- Ayodhya Express – Late by 145 minutes
- Rewa Antyodaya Express – Late by 145 minutes
- UP Sampark Kranti Express – Late by 92 minutes
- Chhattisgarh Sampark Kranti Express – Late by 140 minutes
The IMD’s Orange Alert highlights the dangerously low visibility in the region, with some areas reporting visibility as low as zero meters. For example, visibility at Palam was recorded at just 100 meters due to the dense fog, while Safdarjung had a slightly better but still limited visibility of 300 meters. Westerly winds were blowing at 6 km/h, further contributing to the fog’s persistence. As of today, the ongoing cold wave in the region continues to affect not just rail services but also general travel conditions, creating significant challenges for commuters across Delhi-NCR. Authorities advise travelers to stay updated on weather conditions and train schedules to avoid further inconvenience.