A thick blanket of dense fog descended upon large parts of northern India on Tuesday morning, severely disrupting daily life and crippling transportation networks. The intense cold wave conditions, accompanied by near-zero visibility in many areas, have thrown flight and train schedules into disarray, affecting thousands of passengers.
Major Cities Shrouded in Fog
The national capital, Delhi, along with the states of Punjab and Haryana, bore the brunt of the severe weather. Residents woke up to a chilling, white-out scene as visibility dropped to just 50 meters in several places. The iconic India Gate and the bustling streets of Connaught Place were barely visible through the dense haze. The fog significantly reduced visibility on key highways, including the Delhi-Chandigarh and Delhi-Jaipur routes, prompting authorities to advise extreme caution for motorists.
Meteorological officials attributed this intense spell to a combination of factors, including calm winds, high moisture levels near the ground, and a significant drop in minimum temperatures. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an orange alert for dense fog, warning of its persistence and widespread impact across the plains of Northwest India.
Travel Chaos Grips Air and Rail Networks
The impact on travel has been severe and widespread. At Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), over two dozen flights were delayed due to the low visibility. Several incoming flights were also diverted to nearby airports. Passengers faced long hours of uncertainty as airlines scrambled to adjust their schedules. Airport authorities have urged travelers to check their flight status directly with airlines before heading to the airport.
The railway network was not spared either. Multiple trains arriving in and departing from Delhi, including several Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express services, were running late by several hours. The Northern Railways reported delays on routes connecting Delhi with cities like Amritsar, Lucknow, and Howrah. The reduced visibility forced trains to operate at much slower speeds for safety, causing a cascading effect on the schedule.
Health Advisory and Outlook
Health experts have issued advisories, especially for the elderly, children, and those with respiratory conditions like asthma. The combination of cold air and fog can exacerbate breathing problems and lead to illnesses. Doctors recommend minimizing morning outdoor activities, wearing warm clothing in layers, and staying hydrated.
While the fog is expected to persist during the morning hours over the next couple of days, a slight rise in daytime temperatures might offer some respite later in the day. However, the IMD predicts that cold day conditions, where the maximum temperature remains significantly below normal, will continue in isolated pockets. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the challenging winter weather patterns that affect northern India annually, testing the preparedness of infrastructure and the resilience of its people.
