New Delhi: The first day of 2007 saw thick winter fog enveloping Delhi, throwing air traffic in complete disarray as several domestic and international flights were diverted or cancelled today (Jan 1, 2007).

The fog had begun settling in from around 8.40 p.m. Sunday. A total of 16 domestic flights have been cancelled so far with visibility down to 250 metres at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

As many as 24 domestic and 12 international flights were diverted, mainly to Jaipur, Lucknow, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, said a spokesperson of the Delhi International Airport .

Eleven domestic flights were rescheduled Monday morning.

After thick fog enveloped the airport, the authorities put in force their special services to allow flights to land and take off that saw seven domestic arrivals and 16 international take place arrivals as well as five international departures.

The fog is expected to thin out after 10.30 a.m., said the spokesman.

The minimum temperature recorded Monday morning was 8.7 degrees Celsius.