In light of the exacerbating weather conditions in the northern region of the country, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for dense fog in Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. For Haryana and Punjab, the warning is extended for the next five days while Uttar Pradesh is expected to experience dense fog for the next three days, leading the UP State Road Transport Corporation to issue guidelines for bus operations during low visibility conditions.
INSAT imagery released by the Met department yesterday showed a dense fog layer over north India, affecting regions in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and northwest Madhya Pradesh.
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The impact of dense fog was evident through low visibility conditions which led to traffic disruptions and accidents.
Fog shrouds the national capital
On Thursday, a thick blanket of fog in Delhi significantly disrupted flight operations as the Delhi airport reported delays in approximately 134 flights, both domestic and international. The New Delhi Railway Station too experienced a similar kind of disruption as 22 trains were delayed, leaving passengers stranded in the biting cold.
However, on Friday, Delhi witnessed a marginal improvement in air quality with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) settling at 356. Despite the slight reprieve, it has been reported that the air quality is expected to linger in the "very poor" category for the next two days.
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Taking cognisance of the prevailing situation, the Delhi Airport Authority issued an advisory, cautioning that flights not compliant with CAT III standards may face disruptions.
Six killed, 12 injured in road crashes due to fog in UP
Owing to significantly reduced visibility caused by dense layers of fog, at least six people were killed while twelve were injured in separate road crashes in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, police said.
According to the state Meteorological department officials, dense fog was reported from across Uttar Pradesh in the early hours of Thursday, with visibility plunging to less than 40 metres in some areas.
Weather department officials have forecast dense fog with visibility dropping to 50 metres in the state for the next two days in the morning hours.
