Residents of Punjab woke up to a thick, disorienting blanket of fog on Wednesday morning, severely disrupting daily life and transport. The dense fog, with visibility plummeting to less than 50 metres, engulfed several key areas across the state, creating hazardous conditions for commuters and residents alike.
IMD Reports Critical Visibility Levels
According to the latest bulletin from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the situation was particularly severe in certain districts. The city of Amritsar reported zero visibility, bringing early morning activities to a virtual standstill. Other major towns were not far behind, with Faridkot recording visibility of just 20 metres and Bathinda seeing 40 metres through the dense mist.
Extended Fog Alert for Northern Regions
The weather office has indicated that these challenging conditions are not a one-day event. The IMD forecasts that similar dense fog is likely to persist during the early and morning hours at several places over Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the union territory of Chandigarh until December 20. This extended advisory urges citizens, especially drivers and those planning travel, to exercise extreme caution.
In a minor relief on the temperature front, the state recorded a slight rise in the night chill. Data shows an increase of 0.2°C in the average minimum temperature on Wednesday compared to Tuesday. However, cold conditions prevailed, with Hoshiarpur registering the lowest minimum temperature in Punjab at a chilly 6.7°C.
Safety Implications and Precautions
The persistent fog and low visibility present significant risks, primarily for road and rail travel. Authorities typically advise the following during such spells:
- Drivers must use fog lights and reduce speed.
- Pedestrians should wear visible or reflective clothing.
- Flight and train schedules may face delays; passengers should check status updates.
- Elderly and children should take care to avoid respiratory issues aggravated by the cold, dense air.
While the slight uptick in minimum temperature offers a small respite from intensifying cold, the dominant weather story for the region remains the enveloping fog, which is set to define the early mornings for the next few days.
