In North India, particularly in states like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, north Rajasthan, and north Madhya Pradesh, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning concerning dense fog. This weather advisory urged residents to exercise caution while driving or engaging in any outdoor activities, emphasizing the use of fog lights during transportation. The presence of dense fog significantly affected visibility across various regions, leading to traffic disruptions, particularly during the early hours of Thursday morning.
The IMD's forecast extended the alert for the next three to four days, highlighting the likelihood of persistent dense to very dense fog in parts of Northwest and adjoining Central India. This weather pattern was confirmed through satellite imagery, revealing a widespread fog cover across North India. The fog blanket stretched from Punjab to East Uttar Pradesh, encompassing areas like Haryana-Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh, extreme north Rajasthan, and north Madhya Pradesh.
Their observations indicated specific areas in Uttar Pradesh and isolated pockets in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Southwest Rajasthan, and North Madhya Pradesh experiencing dense to very dense fog, with visibility plunging to as low as 0-25 meters. Moreover, multiple locations reported visibility levels ≤50 meters, causing significant challenges for transportation and daily commutes. Places such as Patiala in Punjab, Ambala, Chandigarh, Safdarjung in Haryana, Ganganagar, Churu in Northwest Rajasthan, Bareilly, Jhansi, Lucknow, Varanasi, Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh, and Gwalior, Satna in North Madhya Pradesh were among those significantly impacted.
This dense fog had a substantial impact on the operational status of Delhi Airport, leading to delays affecting approximately 134 flights, including both domestic and international routes, due to the severely reduced visibility caused by the thick fog layer.
The consequence of this weather phenomenon was evident in the form of delayed train services and affected flight schedules, particularly in the national capital, Delhi, and its surrounding areas. The dense fog cover created challenging conditions on the roads, making it difficult for commuters and travelers alike.
Overall, the North Indian region experienced a pervasive dense fog situation that led to substantially reduced visibility, causing disruptions across various modes of transportation. The IMD advised residents to stay updated with transportation schedules and recommended taking necessary precautions while traveling during this foggy period to ensure safety and minimize inconveniences.