Fog Over India: Winter Smog Freezes Trains and Grounds Flights

Northern India has been hit by a dense layer of fog and smog once again, which has taken a toll on daily life and paralyzed the transport system in the region. Temperatures dropped drastically, visibility was dangerously low in major cities in places such as Delhi, Lucknow, Amritsar, and Chandigarh, and dozens of trains and flights have been delayed or cancelled.

In major railway stations, the travelers were forced to spend hours stranded on the railway platform as more trains arrived late, and airlines gave out continuous warnings that landing would be difficult. The flight operations in the early mornings were especially hit, where massive fog caused the visibility to go down to less than 50 meters at one point.

According to experts, cold weather, low wind speeds, automobile emissions, and the burning of crop residue in adjacent states are the factors that contribute to the smog that is present annually during the winter. Health authorities have also called on the vulnerable population to minimize exposure to the outside, as smog may exacerbate respiratory and heart diseases with long-term exposure.

As winter is nearing, authorities are on high alert because fog is continuing to put a strain on India’s transport and public health.