Delhi: High temperature impacts flight operations at IGI airport

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High surface temperatures in Delhi are reportedly impacting flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Flight operations have been impacted by high temperatures and following safety guidelines, a senior official in the Ministry of Civil Aviation told ANI. Flights get delayed sometimes or wait for the wind speed to settle down, he said, as reported by ANI.

Another senior official with a domestic airline said that during high temperatures, the air becomes thin.

Reportedly, an aircraft requires a lift to take off, and the lift is affected by the density of the surrounding air. The effects of hot air are felt most during takeoff and the initial climb. Sometimes passengers might feel mid-air turbulence due to this reason, reported ANI.

"In extreme weather conditions like high temperatures and wind speeds, we proceed only after clearance from the Air Traffic Control (ATC)," the official told ANI.

According to the agency reports, the other alternative is to adjust operations by reducing fuel or baggage and, in some cases, reducing the number of passengers to facilitate aircraft operation.

A Delhi-Bagdogra Indigo flight 6E 2521 was reportedly delayed due to high ground temperatures hindering operations.

Meanwhile, flights had been getting frequent complaints regarding air conditioning not functioning in aircraft. A senior official with a domestic airline told ANI that due to high temperatures outside, the air conditioning system of aircraft is unable to cool the aircraft on short-distance flights.

However, while taxing and idling on the runway, it could be a cause for trouble for passengers as the temperatures in the cabin can rise due to warm temperatures outside.

Amid the arrival of monsoons in parts of the country, the national capital is reportedly grappling with scorching heatwaves and high temperatures. This has also led to shortages of water in several areas, as reported by ANI.

People are relying on water tankers in order to fulfill their daily water requirements, reported ANI.

Extreme heatwave in Delhi

There was no relief from the soaring heat in Delhi on Saturday as the maximum temperature reportedly settled six notches above the season's average at 44.6 degrees Celsius, officials said.

Of its several weather stations, Aya Nagar recorded 46 degrees Celsius while Palam recorded 45 degrees Celsius, they said.

The capital was predicted to be on "orange" alert for the next three days, which stands for "Be prepared" in the India Meteorological Department colour codes.

Reportedly the maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 45 and 32 degrees Celsius.