The Indian Meteorological Department defines very dense fog with visibility from 0 to 50 meters, dense fog from 51 to 200 meters, moderate fog from 201 to 500 meters, and shallow fog from 501 to 1,000 meters.
The Met Office on Monday forecast that the Indo-Gangetic plains could experience “dense to very dense” fog over the next five days, which could lead to cancellations and diversions of trains and flight.
Satellite images show a thick layer of fog over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, northern Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
#GautamBuddhaNagar : At least 10 people injured, one dead reported after their bus collided with a container truck… https://t.co/7hCdB1RHiq
– TOI Noida (@TOINoida) 1671506313000
Visibility was reduced to 25 meters at Palam airport and 50 meters at Safdarjung airport, an IMD official said.
“Due to humidity and light winds in the lower troposphere over the Indo-Gangetic plain, dense to very dense fog in many/several pockets is most likely to occur in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh at night/morning for the next three days and dense fog in isolated pockets for the next two days,” the Met office said in a statement on Monday.
#Delhi: Dense fog covered the capital this morning. Pictures from Lodhi Road, Safdarjung, airport flyover… https://t.co/BYIBm7pTBH
– TOI Delhi (@TOIDelhi) 1671503498000
The IMD also issued an advisory, saying difficult driving conditions on the highway, some crashes and tripping over power lines are possible.
“There is a possibility of train delays, diversions and cancellations. Airport operations may be affected by flight delays and cancellations,” the agency said.
The weather agency says prolonged exposure to smog can cause wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath in people with asthma and bronchitis. It can also lead to eye irritation or infection.
It suggests that travelers should carry essentials such as water and medicine on long trips.
With input from PTI
