North India fog travel disruption: Flights Grounded, Trains Delayed, Roads Perilous — North India Fog Travel Disruption
On December 16–17, 2025, a dense blanket of winter fog swept across North India, severely affecting transportation systems and creating travel chaos for thousands of commuters. From air and rail services to road journeys, the meteorological phenomenon significantly reduced visibility and forced authorities, airlines, and travelers to deal with its disruptive effects.
The Vantage with Palki Sharma segment on N18G highlighted how dense fog conditions — especially around the National Capital Region (NCR) — triggered widespread travel disruption, forcing cancellations and delays as visibility dropped to near-zero levels.
Air Travel Hit Hard
North India fog travel disruption saw major operational setbacks due to the thick fog:
- At Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi), dense fog caused the cancellation of around 200 flights on Tuesday, with 131 flights alone cancelled by late afternoon as visibility plunged below safe limits.
- Earlier, at least 300 flights were cancelled across the region as fog enveloped airports, with hundreds more delayed or diverted.
- Major carriers including IndiGo issued travel advisories, urging passengers to check flight statuses, plan for delays, and allow extra buffer time amid low visibility conditions.
- Smaller airports like Srinagar International Airport also reported flight disruptions, with multiple cancellations and dozens of delays due to poor weather.
North India fog travel disruption: Rail and Road Travel Also Affected
Dense fog led to significant delays on the rail network, with more than 80 trains experiencing delays of up to 8–10 hours across northern states. On roads and expressways, especially early in the morning, visibility dropped sharply to just a few meters, making highway travel hazardous and prompting advisories for fog lights and slow driving. In Rudrapur and other regions, fog forced commuters to slow traffic to a crawl, and police advised drivers to exercise extreme caution or avoid non-essential travel.
Accidents Highlight Risks of Foggy Conditions
The impact on road safety was evident when a major pile-up on the Yamuna Expressway near Mathura claimed 13 lives after 18–19 vehicles collided due to near-zero visibility. Authorities investigated the incident, and both the Prime Minister and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister expressed condolences while announcing compensation for victims’ families.
North India fog travel disruption: Meteorological Context
Dense fog during winter in North India is a recurring phenomenon, especially when temperatures drop during the early morning hours and air stays calm. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast foggy conditions across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and surrounding areas continuing through mid-December.
Travel Advisory & Safety Tips
- Check schedules frequently: Confirm flight and train status before traveling.
- Plan extra time: Leave early for airports and stations.
- Drive safely: Use fog lights, maintain slow speeds, increase spacing between vehicles, and avoid high beams that reflect off the fog.
- Avoid unnecessary travel: Especially during early morning hours when fog is densest.
North India fog travel disruption: Wider Impacts
The dense fog often combines with poor air quality in major cities like Delhi-NCR, leading to ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ air quality levels, prompting health advisories for residents.
Conclusion: North India fog travel disruption
The winter of 2025 has brought intense fog to northern India, revealing how vulnerable travel and daily life are during peak fog season. From hundreds of flights cancelled or delayed to major highway accidents and rail disruptions, residents and travelers are experiencing widespread impacts. Authorities continue to monitor weather conditions and urge travelers to stay cautious as fog persists.
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Author: Team BTP
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