For the third day in a row, a thick blanket of fog and biting cold has brought large parts of Rajasthan to a standstill, severely disrupting road, rail, and air traffic across the state on Tuesday.
Travel Chaos Across the State
The severe weather conditions led to significant travel misery. Eight early morning flights were cancelled due to poor visibility, while one flight had to be diverted to Jaipur. The rail network was equally impacted, with at least ten trains running late into Jaipur railway station.
Among the affected services was the prestigious Ajmer-Chandigarh Vande Bharat Express. Other notable delays included the Jaipur-Bhopal Express, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and inconvenienced.
Mercury Plummets, Visibility Vanishes
The meteorological centre reported that Dungarpur recorded the state's lowest minimum temperature at 3.0°C. A severe cold wave tightened its grip as daytime temperatures in most regions struggled to rise above 20°C.
Residents in Jaipur, Bikaner, Bharatpur, and Ajmer divisions woke up to near-zero visibility on Tuesday morning. Visibility on city roads and highways plummeted to as low as 50 metres, forcing vehicles to move at a snail's pace and significantly raising the risk of road accidents.
Life Thrown Out of Gear
The persistent fog and shivering cold have severely disrupted normal life. The combination of freezing temperatures and impaired visibility has affected daily routines, market activities, and the movement of people and goods. Authorities continue to advise caution while travelling as the cold wave conditions are expected to persist.
