A thick blanket of dense fog descended upon several regions of North India on Thursday, severely disrupting daily life and transport. The foggy conditions engulfed parts of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, drastically reducing visibility and bringing a sharp chill to the air.
Visibility Plummets, Travel Disrupted
The meteorological phenomenon led to a significant drop in visibility across the affected states. Reports indicated that visibility was reduced to a mere 20 to 70 metres in various pockets, creating hazardous conditions for road and rail travel. Commuters and transportation authorities were advised to exercise extreme caution.
Mercury Takes a Nosedive
Accompanying the fog was a notable dip in nighttime temperatures. Data recorded on Thursday morning showed a fall of 1.8 degrees Celsius in the average minimum temperature across Punjab compared to Wednesday. The cold wave tightened its grip, with several stations reporting near-freezing conditions.
In Punjab, Adampur emerged as the coldest location, recording a minimum temperature of 3 degrees Celsius. It was closely followed by Faridkot, where the mercury dipped to 4.3 degrees Celsius. Across the border in Haryana, Sonipat was the chilliest spot, also registering a low of 4.3 degrees Celsius.
Forecast: More Fog Ahead
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that similar weather conditions are likely to persist. Residents of North India should brace for dense fog and cold days until at least December 30. The combination of low visibility and biting cold is expected to continue, impacting morning routines and possibly leading to delays in flight and train schedules.
Authorities are urging people to take necessary precautions, especially early morning travellers, senior citizens, and children. The use of fog lights on vehicles and warm clothing is highly recommended to navigate the challenging weather safely.
