According to officials, thick fog has significantly reduced visibility at several airports in northern India, leading to delays, extended holding times, and flight diversions. In a post on social media platform X, the AAI said prevailing weather conditions could continue to impact flight schedules and urged passengers to stay in touch with airlines for real-time updates. Helpline numbers were issued to assist stranded travelers.
IndiGo Airlines, in a travel advisory, said flight operations to and from Dharamshala, Bhubaneswar, and Indore were likely to remain affected due to low visibility conditions. Other airlines, including Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Air India Express, also cautioned passengers about possible disruptions.
Railway officials confirmed that several long-distance and passenger trains were running behind schedule, while some services were rescheduled as a safety measure. Fog-related delays are common during winter months, particularly in northern India, where visibility often drops sharply during early morning and late-night hours.
Weather conditions remained severe across multiple states. In Madhya Pradesh, dense fog reduced visibility to as low as 20 metres in some areas, even as nighttime temperatures showed a marginal rise. Several cities recorded daytime temperatures below 24 degrees Celsius, and fog was expected to persist in northern districts.
Uttar Pradesh continued to reel under intense cold conditions, accompanied by icy winds. Light rainfall was reported in parts of eastern UP, including Varanasi. In response, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered the closure of schools and colleges across the state until January 5 to ensure student safety.
In Rajasthan, poor visibility led to a serious road accident on the Kota–Jhalawar highway, where a sleeper bus overturned on Saturday morning. Police said more than 30 passengers sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals. Most districts in the state remained under a dense fog cover, significantly affecting road traffic.
Bihar also witnessed widespread fog, with Patna, Samastipur, and Jehanabad reporting near-zero visibility during early hours. The India Meteorological Department has issued a fog alert for all 38 districts of the state, warning of continued disruptions.
Authorities have advised commuters to exercise caution, allow extra travel time, and avoid non-essential journeys as foggy conditions are expected to persist over the next few days.
