The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has raised a red alert for the Chandigarh Tricity, warning residents of severe dense fog conditions that have drastically reduced visibility and disrupted daily life. The alert covers Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula, where visibility plummeted to between zero and 50 meters on Tuesday morning.
Visibility Drops to Near Zero, Travel Chaos Ensues
The intense fog blanket began affecting the region late Monday night and intensified in the early hours of Tuesday. According to the IMD's Chandigarh centre, the visibility at the airport dropped to a mere 50 meters. In many parts of the tricity, visibility was reported to be near zero, making commuting extremely hazardous.
The IMD's red alert is the highest warning level for fog, indicating very dense fog where visibility is less than 50 meters. This severe weather phenomenon is attributed to a combination of moisture availability and calm wind conditions over the plains of northwest India. The local meteorological office has forecast that these dense to very dense fog conditions are likely to persist for the next few days.
Impact on Road and Rail Networks
The fog has caused significant disruption to transportation. On the roads, vehicles were forced to move at a crawl with their hazard lights on, leading to major traffic snarls. The reduced visibility increased the risk of chain-reaction accidents, prompting authorities to advise extreme caution.
The rail network was also severely impacted. Several trains arriving at and departing from the Chandigarh Railway Station were delayed by multiple hours. Passengers faced considerable inconvenience as schedules went awry due to the safety protocols necessitated by the low visibility. Flight operations at the Chandigarh International Airport were under close watch, with potential for delays or diversions if conditions worsened.
Precautions and Weather Outlook
Authorities have urged the public to take necessary precautions. Recommendations include avoiding non-essential travel during early morning and late-night hours when fog is at its peak. If travel is unavoidable, drivers are advised to use fog lights, maintain a safe distance, and avoid high-beam headlights which can cause glare.
The IMD's forecast suggests that while daytime conditions may see some improvement with slight rises in temperature, the dense fog is expected to recur during the night and morning. Residents can expect similar conditions, with visibility often dropping below 50 meters, until the prevailing weather pattern changes. The department continues to monitor the situation closely and will issue updates as required.
This persistent fog episode highlights the annual winter challenges faced by North India, affecting millions of people and underscoring the importance of heeding official weather warnings for safety.
