In India, recent thick fog and other issues at Delhi's airport have led to numerous flight delays and cancellations. This disruption began on Sunday and continues to affect travelers across the country. The government's aviation authority has instructed airlines to keep passengers informed about changes in their flight schedules promptly.
Flight Delays in India: Fog and Operational Issues Cause Travel Chaos
The dense fog in Delhi, combined with other challenges such as a shortage of parking spaces and a closed runway for maintenance, has resulted in significant delays. Airlines like IndiGo and Air India, which heavily use Delhi's airport, are among the most affected.
According to BBC, many passengers have expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of communication from airlines and airports. Some have endured long waits inside airplanes without access to basic amenities. Social media posts have shown passengers eating on the ground at Mumbai airport and incidents of conflict, including a physical altercation with an IndiGo co-pilot.
India's aviation minister addressed the issue, emphasizing the severity of the fog and the limitations it imposed on airport operations. He also condemned any unruly behavior by passengers. IndiGo, India's largest airline, apologized for the inconvenience caused and stated that the fog-induced delays had a knock-on effect on their flight schedules. The airline is also investigating the incident involving their co-pilot.
This situation in India highlights the challenges faced by travelers and airlines when unexpected weather conditions and operational issues converge, leading to widespread disruption in flight schedules.
India's Ski Resorts Struggle as El Nino Causes Snow Shortage
Meanwhile, in the Indian Himalayas, famous ski resorts are facing tough times. There's been very little snow this year. Experts say this is because of El Nino, a weather pattern over the Pacific Ocean, and changes in the climate.
Gulmarg, a high-altitude resort in Kashmir, India, is usually busy with skiers. But this year, the slopes are dry and empty. Hotels in this beautiful area, known for its snowy peaks, are waiting for snow to bring back tourists.
Northern India is experiencing a winter like no other in the past decade. There's no snow in the mountains, and cold, foggy weather is making things worse on the plains.
In Gulmarg, ski instructor Farhat Naik, 35, is worried. Half of the ski season is already gone, and the slopes are just dry land instead of being covered in snow. South China Morning Post reported that his clients from Europe and America have canceled their trips, affecting the local economy which relies on tourism and agriculture.
The situation is similar in nearby states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. For example, bookings at the Blue Poppy Resort in Auli, Uttarakhand, have dropped to 20%. The resort's owner, Kushaal Sangwan, says people cancel their reservations if there's no snow.
Usually, the winter snow and rain in northern India come from storms called western disturbances. These start in the Mediterranean Sea. But this season, these storms are missing.
R.K. Jenamani, a weather expert, explains that without these weather systems, there won't be snow. Another scientist, Gufran Beig, links the absence of these storms to changes in wind patterns and rising temperatures. This is due to El Nino and broader climate changes.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
