Assam: Dense fog engulfs Guwahati as cold wave grips city

As winter intensifies, Guwahati, a prominent city in Assam, is grappling with significantly reduced visibility due to dense fog. 

This weather phenomenon has been prevalent across various parts of Assam and has extended to other northeastern states. 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fog alert for six northeastern states, including Assam, predicting that these conditions will continue for at least two days from December 20th, 2023.

The dense fog notably disrupted flight operations at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport on December 11, causing overcrowding at the passenger terminal and leading to delays in Guwahati-bound flights. 

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The Adani Group, which controls the facility, has recommended that passengers stay informed about their flight schedules directly with the airlines.

Visibility in dense fog can be perilously low, often reducing to less than 50 meters, which poses significant risks for transportation and can lead to motor vehicle accidents. Dense fog is known to reduce visibility to a quarter mile or less, and in meteorological terms, it corresponds to a visibility distance of less than 40 meters. When faced with such conditions, drivers are advised to move their vehicles to the side of the road, use hazard lights, and if possible, move away from the roadway to ensure safety.

The foggy conditions are not isolated to Assam; similar reports have come from cities like Jorhat, Tezpur, and Dhubri, as well as regions in Meghalaya and Mizoram. The Regional Meteorological Centre of IMD has also observed dense fog in Kailashahar and Agartala in Tripura. Moreover, Delhi has experienced a drop in temperature to 6°C, exacerbating cold wave conditions under a blanket of dense fog.

Residents and travellers in these affected areas are urged to exercise caution, especially during early morning and night hours when visibility is most compromised. Staying updated with the latest weather forecasts is crucial for safe commuting during this period of dense fog.