Thick fog blankets continued to wreak havoc across North India on Tuesday, leading to a series of road accidents in Punjab and Haryana. While no fatalities were reported, the incidents highlighted the severe challenges posed by near-zero visibility conditions in the region.
Vehicle Plunges into Canal in Mansa, All 14 Occupants Rescued
In a harrowing incident at Bakshiwala village in Punjab's Mansa district, a light commercial vehicle (LMV) carrying 14 people fell into a canal following a collision with an oncoming Maruti Alto. The accident was attributed to poor visibility, the absence of railings along the canal, and a narrow road. Fortunately, as the canal had little water, local residents managed to rescue all occupants from the LMV. The vehicle was later retrieved using a crane.
According to details, the Alto was travelling from Lehragaga, while the 14 individuals in the LMV were heading in the opposite direction to attend a 'bhog' ceremony in Lehragaga. Bareta police station SHO Meela Singh stated that the parties involved reached a compromise, and therefore no First Information Report (FIR) was registered. Only a couple of people sustained minor injuries.
Multiple Collisions on Delhi-Sonipat Road Amid Zero Visibility
The perilous driving conditions were not confined to Punjab. In neighbouring Haryana, a multi-vehicle pile-up occurred on the busy Delhi-Sonipat road near Bahadurgarh due to the dense fog. Eyewitness accounts reported that at least one to two people were injured in this collision.
IMD Reports Widespread Zero Visibility Across Region
The accidents occurred on a day when visibility remained critically low across several cities. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported zero visibility in the morning hours in Amritsar, Adampur, Halwara, and Pathankot in Punjab.
Visibility dropped to alarming levels in other major centres:
- 10 metres in Gurdaspur and Ludhiana
- 20 metres in Patiala and Ballowal Saunkhri (Nawanshahr)
- 40 metres in Bathinda
The situation was equally severe in Haryana, with visibility shrinking to just five metres in Ambala, Rohtak, and Bhiwani, and 10 metres in Hisar. Chandigarh recorded a visibility of 40 metres.
Fog and Rainfall Alert Issued Until New Year
The IMD has forecast that dense to very dense fog conditions are likely to persist during night and morning hours over Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh until January 1. Furthermore, due to a western disturbance, isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall and snowfall is likely over Himachal Pradesh from December 30 to January 2.
Authorities continue to advise extreme caution for commuters and travellers, urging them to avoid non-essential travel during early morning and late-night hours when fog is at its peak.
