Dense fog enveloped large parts of Odisha on Saturday, causing widespread disruption to normal life and severely affecting road travel across the state. Visibility remained extremely poor till around 10 am in many areas, forcing commuters to slow down and exercise caution as highways and city roads witnessed reduced traffic movement due to near-zero visibility conditions.
According to the Bhubaneswar Regional Meteorological Centre, foggy conditions are likely to persist over several districts for the next four days, raising concerns over road safety and daily commuting. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued fog warnings for 14 districts for the next 24 hours, advising people to remain vigilant, particularly during early morning and late-night hours.
Orange and Yellow Alerts Issued
The IMD has issued an Orange Warning for dense fog in four districts — Khordha, Puri, Cuttack and Jagatsinghpur — indicating a higher level of risk with the likelihood of significant disruption to transportation and daily activities. These areas are expected to experience very low visibility, which could pose serious hazards for motorists.
In addition, a Yellow Warning has been sounded for ten districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Gajapati and Sundargarh. These districts may witness moderate to dense fog during night and early morning hours, potentially impacting travel and outdoor activities.
Impact on Daily Life and Travel
The dense fog led to inconvenience for office-goers, school commuters and long-distance travellers, with vehicles moving at a sluggish pace on major roads. Several commuters reported delays, while drivers exercised extra caution to avoid accidents amid poor visibility.
Weather officials warned that prolonged fog conditions could continue to affect road safety, railway operations and overall mobility if weather patterns remain unchanged. Authorities have been asked to stay on alert and take necessary measures to manage traffic and ensure public safety.
Advisory for Commuters
The Meteorological Centre has advised motorists to use fog lights, maintain safe distances between vehicles and avoid unnecessary travel during early morning hours. People have also been urged to remain updated with weather advisories and plan their travel accordingly over the next few days.
With foggy conditions expected to persist, residents across Odisha are advised to remain cautious as the state continues to witness the impact of intense winter weather.
