Low visibility due to dense fog disrupts highways and delays 10 flights at Kolkata Airport

While winter's chill has faded, Kolkata continues to grapple with dense fog, causing widespread disruptions across the city. The weather, reminiscent of hilly regions, has taken an unexpected turn during Saraswati Puja, with fog thickening as the day progresses. Despite the persistent fog, temperatures in Kolkata remained above 22°C on Sunday.

The dense fog has severely impacted visibility in various parts of the city, dropping to as low as 50 meters in some areas and 200 meters in others. This sudden reduction in visibility has led to traffic congestion on major highways, while air travel has also been significantly affected. Kolkata Airport found itself blanketed in fog, causing delays in both arrivals and departures.

According to airport sources, one flight was delayed on Sunday morning due to the low visibility, with another aircraft taking extra time to land at around 8 am. As the day unfolded, the fog thickened, exacerbating the situation. By the time of reporting, a total of 10 flights had experienced delays.

All six runways at Kolkata Airport were shrouded in fog, severely limiting operations. At 8 am, visibility on runway number 01 was recorded at just 450 meters. On runways 01R and Mid, visibility dropped to 375 meters, while runway 19L reported slightly better conditions with visibility at 550 meters.

The dense fog has not only caused delays in the aviation sector but has also led to traffic snarls across the city. Motorists struggled to navigate through the thick blanket of fog, particularly on highways where visibility dropped to dangerous levels. Authorities have urged commuters to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel during peak fog hours.