Dense fog, plunging temperatures disrupt life across North India; flights cancelled, hospitals step up winter care
New Delhi/Dholpur/Moradabad [India], December 21 (ANI): Dense fog and a sharp drop in temperatures gripped large parts of North India on Sunday, disrupting road, rail and air travel while prompting authorities to issue advisories and step up emergency and healthcare preparedness.
In Rajasthan, dense fog enveloped Dholpur city early Sunday morning, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a minimum temperature of around 11°C. Low visibility affected morning traffic and daily commutes. Similar conditions prevailed in neighbouring Dausa district, where dense fog has persisted since Saturday night, leading to a noticeable dip in temperatures.
Visibility was particularly poor on highways and major roads, including the Jaipur–Agra National Highway and the expressway, forcing vehicles to move slowly with fog lights on. Dausa District Collector Devendra Kumar urged residents to remain alert, noting that the district has an extensive highway network and that a major road accident linked to fog had recently occurred outside the district. He said advisories had already been issued and warning signboards installed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Motorists were advised to reduce speed, use fog lights and follow all safety norms. The public was also cautioned to take precautions against the cold, especially for the elderly and young children.
The foggy spell extended across Uttar Pradesh and other parts of North India. In Ayodhya, dense fog significantly reduced visibility, with the IMD recording a minimum temperature of 8°C and a maximum likely around 16–17°C. The weather severely impacted air travel, leading to the cancellation of two scheduled commercial flights at Maharishi Valmiki International Airport. These included an Air India Express flight on the Delhi–Ayodhya–Delhi sector and a SpiceJet flight operating the Mumbai–Ayodhya–Ahmedabad route. Airport officials said low-visibility procedures were in effect, and passengers were advised to check flight updates and allow extra time for travel.
In Moradabad, where temperatures dipped to around 9°C, residents resorted to bonfires and heavy winter clothing. At Moradabad District Hospital, special arrangements were made to protect patients from the cold. Chief Medical Superintendent Dr Sangeeta Gupta said windows and doors in all wards had been repaired, heaters installed, and an adequate supply of blankets ensured, adding that patients were provided as many blankets as needed.
Elsewhere, Agra witnessed extremely low visibility, with the Taj Mahal almost disappearing behind a thick veil of fog during early morning hours. Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, has also remained under dense fog since Saturday, intensifying cold wave conditions. The IMD has forecast a minimum temperature of around 10°C and a maximum near 17°C for the city.
The national capital, Delhi, also experienced a sharp dip in temperatures along with dense haze and toxic smog, severely impairing visibility. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) hovered between 380 and 390 in the early morning hours, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category, while several locations slipped into the ‘severe’ range. AQI levels touched 428 at Sarai Kale Khan, 420 at Akshardham, 403 at Rao Tularam Marg, and 380 near the Barapullah flyover, raising serious health concerns.
Meanwhile, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued advisories warning that dense fog across northern India could lead to delays or disruptions in flight operations at select airports. Passenger assistance teams have been deployed to provide on-ground support, and travellers have been urged to stay in touch with airlines for real-time updates as cold wave and fog conditions persist across the region.
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