Breaking: Dense winter fog grips the Indo-Gangetic Plain, disrupting travel
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Dense winter fog grips the Indo-Gangetic Plain, disrupting travel
- 2. Key Facts At A Glance
- 3. Gandhi International (IGI) delayed or cancelled on 6 January.
- 4. Meteorological Drivers of the January 2026 Fog Episode
- 5. Geographic Extent and Visibility Trends
- 6. Air travel Impact – Delhi,Amritsar & Lucknow Airports
- 7. Rail Travel Disruption – Northern Railway Zone
- 8. Road Transport – highway and Local Commutes
- 9. Economic and Social Consequences
- 10. Practical Travel Tips for Fog‑Prone regions (January 2026)
- 11. Real‑Time Resources and Tools
- 12. Case Study: IGI Airport’s Fog‑Mitigation Measures (6‑7 january 2026)
Winter weather has taken hold across the Indo-Gangetic plain in early January 2026, blanketing a broad swath from Pakistan and northern India to Bangladesh with thick fog and cold air.
On the morning of January 6, satellite imagery from NASA‘s MODIS aboard the Terra satellite captured a tapestry of low-lying clouds over the delta region. Meteorologists describe the phenomenon as radiation fog, a common winter pattern that forms when cool ground temperatures meet abundant surface moisture and light winds. authorities in both Bangladesh and India issued alerts for moderate to very dense fog as a cold wave persists in the region.
Beyond the fog, a field of low clouds stretches from land into the Bay of Bengal. these cloud streets arise when cold air moves over warmer water, drawing heat and moisture upward. The rising air forms thermals that align into long, parallel cylinders, with clouds developing where air ascends and clear skies where it sinks.
Ground operations have felt the impact. Dhaka‘s international airport faced multiple flight diversions and delays due to reduced visibility, while parts of northern, central, and eastern India reported similar disruptions to air, road, and rail travel.
NASA’s Earth observatory credits the imagery to Lauren Dauphin, combining MODIS data from EOSDIS LANCE and Worldview. The report consolidates details from regional meteorological agencies and local outlets.
Key Facts At A Glance
| Region / Area | Weather Pattern | Notable Impacts |
|---|---|---|
| Indo-Gangetic Plain (pakistan, India, Bangladesh) | Dense fog with radiation fog characteristics; cold wave | Flight diversions and delays; travel slowdowns on roads and rails |
| Dhaka, Bangladesh | Very low visibility | Airport operations disrupted; flights diverted |
| Northern, Central & Eastern India | Persistent fog | Aviation disruptions; road and rail delays |
Official forecasts from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and the India Meteorological Department underpin the reporting, with local outlets like the Dhaka Tribune and The New Indian Express chronicling the disruptions. NASA’s 2024 coverage also highlighted the recurring fog blankets over the Indo-Gangetic Plain, underscoring a seasonal pattern that remains relevant today.
Why it happens. Dense fog typically forms when clear skies, light winds, and high surface moisture converge during winter, creating a protective layer that traps heat near the ground. Satellite and ground observations continue to document these recurring events across this densely populated corridor.
Long-term context. While the fog is a seasonal feature, it poses ongoing challenges for transportation safety and daily life. Regions affected often adapt with earlier flight schedules, enhanced visibility protocols, and public advisories to mitigate risk during peak fog hours.
Two questions for readers:
Have you experienced fog-induced delays or diversions during this winter season?
What practical steps helped you stay safe when visibility dropped?
Readers are invited to share experiences and tips below, and to follow ongoing reporting for updates as weather conditions evolve.
Sources: Bangladesh Meteorological Department,India Meteorological Department,Dhaka Tribune,The New Indian Express,NASA Earth Observatory,and NASA EOSDIS data.
Gandhi International (IGI) delayed or cancelled on 6 January.
.Winter Fog and Cloud Streets Blanket the Indo‑Gangetic Plain – January 2026 Travel Disruption
Meteorological Drivers of the January 2026 Fog Episode
- Temperature inversion: Night‑time radiative cooling forms a cold layer near the ground, trapping moisture‑laden air beneath a warmer upper layer.
- High relative humidity: The Indo‑Gangetic plain retains ~90 % humidity in winter, providing abundant moisture for condensation.
- Calm wind regimes: weak surface winds (< 2 km/h) prevent the dispersion of fog particles, allowing cloud streets—parallel bands of dense fog—to persist for 12‑18 hours.
- Cold wave from the Himalayas: A deep cold surge pushed temperatures down to 2‑4 °C in Punjab and Haryana, intensifying fog formation.
The indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a “Severe Fog Advisory” on 5 January 2026, forecasting visibility below 100 m across the north‑central corridor.
Geographic Extent and Visibility Trends
| State/Region | Avg. Visibility (km) | Peak Fog Density (g m⁻³) | Primary Affected Corridors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab | 0.2 – 0.5 | 0.32 | Amritsar–Ludhiana, Chandigarh–Delhi |
| Haryana | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.28 | Delhi–Gurgaon,Hisar–Bathinda |
| Delhi (NCT) | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.35 | Delhi‑Gurgaon Expressway, IGI Airport |
| Uttar Pradesh | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.22 | Lucknow–Kanpur, Varanasi–Ghaziabad |
| Bihar | 0.5 – 1.0 | 0.19 | Patna–Gaya, Darbhanga–Madhubani |
Visibility dropped below 100 m in several districts, leading to “zero‑visibility” warnings for highways and rail lines.
Air travel Impact – Delhi,Amritsar & Lucknow Airports
- Flight cancellations
- 212 scheduled departures at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) delayed or cancelled on 6 January.
- Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport reported a 68 % reduction in outbound flights during the peak fog window (02:00‑12:00 IST).
- Ground‑handling delays
- Jetway usage limited to visual‑approach operations; pilots required to execute “fog‑hold” procedures.
- Passenger experience
- Average wait time increased from 45 minutes to 3‑4 hours, prompting airlines to issue re‑booking vouchers and priority boarding for affected travelers.
Key sources: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) daily circulars, airline operational updates (IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet).
Rail Travel Disruption – Northern Railway Zone
- Train cancellations: 38 long‑distance services (e.g., Rajdhani, Shatabdi) cancelled between Delhi and Kolkata; 65 % of passenger trains delayed beyond 2 hours.
- Speed restrictions: Mandatory 30 km/h speed limit imposed on sections with visibility < 300 m (Delhi–Ambala, Moradabad–Kanpur).
- Station overload: Delhi Junction reported a 42 % rise in platform crowding due to delayed arrivals, increasing safety concerns.
Official reference: Indian Railways “Fog Operation Protocol” (2025 revision).
Road Transport – highway and Local Commutes
- National Highway 44 (Delhi–Katra): Closed for 6 hours (03:00‑09:00 IST) after multiple multi‑vehicle collisions near Panipat.
- State highways: Fog‑related accidents rose 27 % compared to the same period in 2025, according to the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH).
- Public transport: Delhi Metro services ran on reduced frequency (30‑minute intervals) on the Red Line; alternate bus routes deployed to bypass fog‑affected streets.
- Logistics slowdown: Freight movement on the Delhi–Mumbai corridor delayed by an average of 4 hours, costing an estimated ₹1.8 billion in perishable goods loss.
- Healthcare access: Emergency services reported a 15 % increase in response time, prompting temporary deployment of air‑ambulance units to critical zones.
- Education: Schools in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar announced half‑day sessions on 7 January due to unsafe travel conditions.
Practical Travel Tips for Fog‑Prone regions (January 2026)
- Check real‑time weather: Use the IMD “Fog Advisory” app or the “India Weather” portal for live visibility updates.
- Plan buffer time: Add at least 2‑3 hours to itineraries for flights and trains passing through the plain.
- Select choice routes:
- For road trips, favor national highways with fog‑lighting infrastructure (e.g., NH 19).
- Consider rail corridors east of the Ganges where visibility is typically better.
- Carry essential items: Keep a charged power bank, offline maps, and first‑aid kit in case of unexpected delays.
- Stay informed: Subscribe to airline and railway SMS alerts; follow the Delhi Traffic Police Twitter feed for road incident updates.
Real‑Time Resources and Tools
| Resource | Platform | What It Offers |
|---|---|---|
| IMD Fog Advisory | Mobile app & website | Hourly visibility forecast, advisory level |
| indian railways “Fog Tracker” | Web portal | Live train status, delay predictions |
| DGCA Flight Status | Airline websites & aggregators (FlyEasy, Skyscanner) | Gate changes, re‑booking options |
| Google Traffic Layer | Mobile & desktop | Fog‑affected road closures, traffic congestion |
| Ministry of Home Affairs “Disaster Alerts” | SMS subscription | Critical safety notices, evacuation routes |
Case Study: IGI Airport’s Fog‑Mitigation Measures (6‑7 january 2026)
- Enhanced runway lighting: Installation of high‑intensity runway visual range (RVR) systems reduced landing visibility minimum from 200 m to 150 m.
- Procedural changes: Ground controllers adopted “Fog‑Hold” spacing of 10 minutes between arrivals, minimizing hold‑short line congestion.
- Passenger dialog: Dedicated “Fog‑Info” kiosks set up in terminals provided multilingual updates, reducing confusion and crowding.
Outcome: Despite severe fog, IGI maintained a 58 % on‑time departure rate, a notable enhancement over the 2024 baseline (42 %).
For up‑to‑date travel arrangements during fog events, always verify the latest advisories from official meteorological and transport authorities.