Life in Uttarakhand's Terai region came to a grinding halt on Tuesday morning as a thick blanket of dense fog engulfed the plains. The severe weather phenomenon drastically reduced visibility to below 20-30 meters, bringing vehicular movement to a near standstill and disrupting the daily routines of residents.
City Brought to a Standstill
The district headquarters of Udham Singh Nagar, Rudrapur, was the worst-hit area. During what are typically peak morning hours, the city's roads remained unusually deserted. The fog began forming in the early hours and intensified by dawn, creating hazardous conditions on national highways and major arterial roads.
The situation was compounded by a sharp dip in temperature, with the mercury plunging to a minimum of 9 degrees Celsius. This added to the discomfort of early morning commuters and walkers, forcing many to simply stay indoors. Traffic across the urban area moved at a sluggish pace, if at all.
Residents and Officials Respond
Local taxi driver Sanjay Singh described the challenging conditions, stating, "Visibility was extremely poor. Even nearby vehicles were barely visible." In response to the crisis, the district traffic police issued immediate precautionary advisories to the public.
A police official outlined the safety measures, saying, "Drivers have been asked to maintain low speed, use fog lights, and avoid unnecessary travel until visibility improves." The advisory aimed to prevent accidents on the dangerously obscured roadways.
Weather Outlook and Expert Analysis
Meteorologist R K Singh from Pantnagar University explained that such very dense fog is a common occurrence in the Terai belt during this season. He provided a forecast, noting, "Such conditions may persist during early morning hours over the next few days, though visibility is expected to improve gradually by late forenoon."
Authorities have urged all commuters to remain cautious and follow safety guidelines, as the combination of cold and foggy conditions is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. The disruption serves as a stark reminder of the seasonal challenges faced by the plains of northern India every winter.
