Dense fog triggers major vehicle pile-up on Delhi-Lucknow highway, disrupts flights and trains

Dense fog caused a significant vehicle pile-up on the Delhi-Lucknow Highway near Bahadurgarh station in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday morning. The incident, which occurred on National Highway 9 around 5:30 a.m., involved multiple vehicles colliding due to severely reduced visibility. Several individuals sustained minor injuries, while two were hospitalized with serious injuries. Emergency teams and local authorities rushed to the site to manage the situation and ensure the safety of commuters.

Hapur police confirmed that the dense fog severely affected visibility, creating hazardous driving conditions. Visuals from the accident site revealed extensive damage to several vehicles, with some cars' bonnets and bumpers crushed. Officials worked to clear the site and restore traffic flow, urging commuters to exercise caution on fog-covered roads.

The fog also disrupted air and rail travel across Delhi-NCR and nearby regions. Over 150 flights were delayed, and 26 trains faced disruptions as visibility plummeted. Airport authorities reported that flights not equipped with CAT III navigation systems, which enable operations in low visibility, were particularly affected. Passengers were advised to check updates with airlines and rail services to avoid inconvenience.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 6°C at Safdarjung and 7.6°C at Palam on Friday morning. An orange alert was issued, predicting dense to very dense fog in Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh. The IMD also stated that the fog was likely to persist, impacting highways, airports, and railway routes.

The air quality in Delhi further deteriorated, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) measured at 451, classified as 'severe.' Authorities attributed the low visibility and worsening air quality to dense fog and cooler temperatures. Travelers across affected areas were advised to plan their journeys carefully and adhere to safety guidelines amid the challenging weather conditions.