Dense fog enveloped the national capital, reducing visibility on a chilly morning in New Delhi. , Photo Credit: Moorthy RV
Dense to dense fog blanketed the Indo-Gangetic plains, including Delhi, for the second consecutive morning on Tuesday, reducing visibility to 25 meters in the national capital and affecting traffic.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), very dense fog occurs when the visibility is between 0 and 50 metres, 51 and 200 is dense, 201 and 500 is moderate, and 501 and 1,000 is shallow.
The Meteorological Department on Monday predicted that the Indo-Gangetic plains may witness “dense to very dense” fog over the next five days, resulting in cancellation and diversion of trains and flights.
Satellite images showed a thick layer of fog over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, North Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Visibility dropped to 25 meters at Palam airport and 50 meters at Safdarjung airport, an IMD official said.
“Due to moisture and light winds at lower tropospheric levels over Indo-Gangetic plains, dense to very dense fog very likely at isolated places during night/morning over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh Is. There will be dense fog in isolated areas for the next three days and for the next two days.
The IMD has also issued an advisory, stating that difficult driving conditions, few collisions and tripping of power lines are possible on the highways.
“Possible train delays, diversions and cancellations. Flight delays and cancellations are likely to affect airport operations.”
The Meteorological Department said that prolonged exposure to fog can cause wheezing, cough and shortness of breath in people suffering from asthmatic bronchitis. It can also cause eye irritation or infection.
It suggested that travelers should carry essential items like water and medicine on long journeys.