The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a significant warning for dense to very dense fog across several northern and eastern states of India over the coming days, posing serious challenges to travel and daily life. The advisory, released on Sunday, coincides with the national capital battling hazardous air pollution levels.
Widespread Fog Alert and Forecast Details
According to the IMD forecast, dense to very dense fog is likely during night and morning hours in specific regions. Parts of East Uttar Pradesh are expected to be affected until 23 December. Meanwhile, Punjab, Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh, and North Madhya Pradesh will likely experience similar conditions until 22 December.
The weather department further stated that Bihar, Jharkhand, and interior Odisha may also grapple with dense fog until 24 December. Such intense fog conditions are predicted to severely reduce visibility, leading to expected disruptions in road, rail, and air travel networks.
Delhi's Dual Crisis: Fog and Severe Air Pollution
While fog blankets the region, Delhi is facing a parallel environmental crisis. On Sunday, the city's air quality remained firmly in the 'very poor' category. A thick combination of smog and moderate fog drastically reduced visibility and impacted residents' routines.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 377. The situation was even more critical in several areas, with 16 out of 40 monitoring stations reporting air quality in the 'severe' category. The rest recorded 'very poor' levels, as per the CPCB's Sameer app.
The CPCB classifies an AQI between 301 and 400 as 'very poor' and 401 to 500 as 'severe', indicating serious health risks for the public.
Visibility Plummets at Key Transit Hubs
IMD data highlighted significant visibility drops at major monitoring stations in Delhi, underscoring the travel hazards. At Palam, visibility fell to a low of 300 meters due to moderate fog between 10 pm and 12:30 am IST. It later improved marginally.
Safdarjung recorded an even lower visibility of 200 meters between 1:30 am and 2:30 am IST. Conditions improved to 500 meters by 5:30 am. The IMD noted that the minimum temperature was 9.4°C, slightly above the seasonal average, with humidity reaching 100% in the evening.
Official Response and Safety Advisory
In response to the dangerous air quality, authorities have implemented all measures under GRAP Stage IV across Delhi-NCR. These strict restrictions include a ban on non-essential construction and the entry of certain diesel vehicles to curb pollution sources.
The dense fog exacerbates the pollution crisis by trapping pollutants closer to the ground. The IMD has forecast similar conditions for Monday, with moderate fog likely in the morning and temperatures ranging between 9°C and 21°C.
Authorities have issued crucial safety advisories for commuters:
- Exercise extreme caution while driving.
- Drive at slow speeds and use fog lights.
- Avoid using high-beam headlights.
- Stay updated with local weather and traffic advisories.
The combination of dense fog and poor air quality is creating a hazardous environment across North India, urging citizens to take necessary precautions and follow official guidelines closely.
