After a brief period of clear skies, a thick blanket of dense fog has once again descended upon large parts of northern and eastern India, severely reducing visibility and causing significant disruptions to road, rail, and air travel on Friday, December 26, 2025.
Visibility Plummets, Iconic Landmarks Disappear
The foggy conditions returned with a vengeance on Friday morning. In the national capital, visibility at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport dropped sharply to around 1,000 meters at 8 AM, a significant decrease from the 2,500 meters recorded at the same time on Thursday. The temperature was recorded at 9 degrees Celsius.
Visuals from across Uttar Pradesh and Delhi showed vehicles navigating cautiously with their headlights on as the fog dramatically reduced visibility on major roads and highways. The phenomenon also obscured some of India's most iconic monuments. News agency ANI shared visuals where the majestic Taj Mahal in Agra and the newly consecrated Ram Mandir in Ayodhya were almost completely hidden behind a thick, white layer of fog. In the east, the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha was similarly enveloped.
Travel Chaos: Flight and Rail Disruptions Expected
The sudden drop in visibility has raised serious concerns for transportation safety and schedules. While Delhi Airport's CAT-III instrument landing system is operational, allowing some flights to land in low visibility conditions, airlines have warned passengers of inevitable delays and possible cancellations.
Major Indian carriers issued travel advisories for the day. IndiGo stated that lingering fog over Guwahati was resulting in slower flight movements, potentially affecting departures and arrivals. SpiceJet specifically warned of disruptions for flights to and from Varanasi due to the adverse weather. Passengers are strongly advised to check their flight status directly on their airline's website or app before heading to the airport.
Rail travel is also facing the brunt of the weather. Trains are likely to run at reduced speeds as a safety precaution, which could lead to delays of several hours, especially on long-distance routes across the affected regions.
Safety Concerns and Regional Spread
The recurring fog is not just an inconvenience but a major safety hazard. Reduced visibility on highways is a leading cause of multi-vehicle pile-ups during the winter months. Authorities have urged drivers to exercise extreme caution, use fog lights, and maintain safe distances.
It is important to note that this weather event is not confined to North India. The India Meteorological Department's observations indicate that the dense fog cover has extended its reach to eastern and northeastern states as well, affecting a wider swath of the country. The situation underscores the widespread impact of the current winter weather pattern, disrupting daily life and travel plans for millions.
