Delhi is waking up under a heavy blanket of fog across December, bringing normal life to a near standstill across the city. The visibility has dropped to dangerously low levels, forcing authorities to issue warnings and commuters to settle for delays. Its effects range from road snarls and slowed metro movement to delayed flights and train services.
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Visibility drops, transport chaos ensues
Dense fog covered large parts of the capital city early in the morning. This resulted in reducing visibility to just a few metres in many areas. The road commuters are struggling as headlights are failing to cut through the white haze, while traffic is crawling at a snail’s pace across major thoroughfares. The drivers are reportedly facing the problem of having to slow down considerably. The impact has extended to the sky limit as well.
The flights flying in and out of Delhi airport faced delays due to the low visibility. Several departures and arrivals are being rescheduled or held on the tarmac until it is deemed safe to land or take off. Rail commuters were not spared either; trains entering Delhi stations reported slight delays as engineers reduced speeds, prioritising safety over schedules. The schools and offices remained open, but many parents expressed concern over sending children out in the foggy conditions.
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Health concerns and official response
Alongside transport disruptions, the dense fog has raised fresh health concerns. Experts warn that such conditions attract pollutants close to the ground, resulting in respiratory problems. These scenarios are vulnerable to populations, including children and the elderly. The hospitals in the city have reported a slight rise in cases of asthma and bronchitis, typical of foggy winter spells.
Dense fog may be a seasonal phenomenon, but for Delhi residents, it has again underlined the daily challenges of navigating life in winter. The transport disruptions, health risks and the dreary grip of low visibility have left many in the capital city counting the days until clearer skies arrive.
