A thick and persistent blanket of dense fog brought large parts of North India, particularly Punjab, to a standstill on Sunday. The severe weather conditions, marked by dangerously low visibility and biting cold, are expected to grip the region for the next several days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Commuters Face Hazardous Conditions
The fog's impact was most acutely felt by early morning travelers. In Amritsar, visibility dropped to near-zero levels, creating extremely difficult and hazardous conditions for commuters. The IMD has issued a clear warning that dense to very dense fog is likely to cover Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh during night and morning hours until January 7.
Cold Wave to Grip the Plains
Accompanying the fog is a severe cold wave. The weather office has projected that this intense cold spell will continue to grip the plains of North India until January 8. Temperatures have plunged significantly across the region.
Hoshiarpur in Punjab recorded the state's lowest minimum temperature at 6.8°C. The situation was even colder in neighboring Haryana, where Mahendragarh shivered at 3°C, making it the coldest spot in the state.
Widespread Disruption and Advisories
The combination of dense fog and cold wave has led to widespread disruption, affecting road and rail transport. Authorities are advising residents to exercise extreme caution while traveling. The key advisories include:
- Avoid non-essential travel during early morning and late night hours.
- Use fog lights while driving and maintain low speed.
- Wear multiple layers of warm clothing to protect against the cold.
The IMD's forecast indicates no immediate respite, with the harsh winter conditions set to dominate the first week of the new year, impacting daily life and mobility across several northern states.
