Severe Fog in Bhubaneswar Disrupts Flights and Road Travel

Bhubaneswar, India, is experiencing one of its most severe fog events in recent years, causing major disruptions to air and road travel. The dense fog has reduced visibility to near zero, grounding flights at Biju Patnaik International Airport and creating hazardous conditions on city roads. Passengers have faced significant delays and cancellations, while commuters navigate the dangerous conditions. Authorities have urged travelers to stay updated and take necessary safety precautions.

The fog has led to flight delays of two to two-and-a-half hours, affecting routes to key destinations including Goa, Kolkata, Guwahati, Utkela, Jaipur, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Chennai. Airport authorities and airlines are working closely to manage schedules and ensure passenger safety. By early morning, visibility improved slightly to around 50 meters, but conditions remained unsafe for normal operations, prompting strict safety measures.

Road traffic has also been severely impacted, with drivers struggling to navigate through the thick, low-hanging fog. Early morning roads were unusually quiet as residents avoided travel unless necessary. Traffic authorities advised motorists to use headlights, slow down, and stay alert to prevent accidents, with some areas requiring heavy reliance on fog lights for safe driving.

This extreme weather event highlights the challenges posed by winter fog in Bhubaneswar, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring and preparedness to ensure the safety of travelers.