Weather News: Dense Fog Covers Many parts Of North India; Train, Air Traffic Hit; Cold Wave Alert

New Delhi: Many parts of North India including Punjab, Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh are witnessing dense fog. On January 20, density and spread of fog increased, according to private weather forecaster Skymet Weather. 

Fog was seen from central Pakistan to Uttar Pradesh across Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. Visibility at Palam airport dropped to 50 meters, Lucknow and Prayagraj airport also witnessed almost zero visibility.

Visibility dropped 

Visibility dropped over Delhi due to the formation of smog. When pollutants such as dust particles, smoke particles and particles of harmful gases get mixed with water vapor it becomes smog.

Skymeet Weather said temperatures will remain low, and any significant relief from poor visibility, dense fog and very poor air quality is not expected. Fog will start lifting and get thinner as the day progresses. Visibility may start dropping once again from late evening or early night. Rail, road, and air traffic may get impacted due to fog and poor visibility.

Red alert issued

In view of the severe cold in North India, a red alert has been issued. Five people died in Punjab and three in UP in road accidents due to low visibility.

Night service of buses stopped in UP

UP Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh said that in view of the accidents happening due to dense fog, the state government has decided to stop the night service of roadways buses from Tuesday. At the same time, the Punjab government has ordered to open all the schools from 10 am till January 21.

Many trains are running late

Many trains are running late due to dense fog. Over 70 long distance trains were delayed by 2 to 6 hours in the capital Delhi. At the same time, more than 20 aircraft flew late by 15 to 30 minutes. 32 trains were canceled in Moradabad. In Punjab, 15 trains were delayed by about seven hours. 

Flights delayed

All flights from Chandigarh and Amritsar till 12 noon took off with a delay of three to four hours. Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 6.3 degrees Celsius, two notches below normal, while Monday's minimum temperature was 7.2 degrees. On December 17, the lowest minimum temperature of the season was 6 degrees.

The Meteorological Department has predicted cold wave and dense fog till the end of the week. Yellow alert has been issued for fog and cold wave.