Photo by Prashant Pradhan on Unsplash
🌫️ Current Wave of Dense Fog Gripping Northern India
Northern India is currently enveloped in a thick layer of dense fog that has persisted through early January 2026, severely impacting travel across the region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued repeated alerts for very dense fog, with visibility dropping to as low as zero meters in several key areas like Delhi's Palam airport and parts of Punjab and Haryana. This phenomenon, common during the winter months due to temperature inversions where cold air traps moisture near the ground, has led to widespread chaos in air and rail transportation.
As of January 13, 2026, reports indicate that over 100 flights have been delayed or canceled at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport alone, while dozens of trains, including high-speed Vande Bharat services, face hours-long delays or outright cancellations. Cities such as Delhi, Lucknow, Amritsar, and Varanasi are among the hardest hit, with fog patches extending from northwest India into parts of central and eastern regions. Travelers are advised to check real-time updates from airlines and Indian Railways before heading out.
📈 Scale of Flight Disruptions Across Major Airports
Flight operations have borne the brunt of this fog crisis, with low visibility forcing airlines to hold planes on tarmacs or divert them to alternate airports. IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet have all released travel advisories warning of potential delays, cancellations, and diversions. For instance, on January 13, Delhi airport reported 128 flights affected, echoing patterns from late December 2025 when similar conditions led to over 100 cancellations in a single day.
Key statistics highlight the severity:
- Delhi-NCR airports: Visibility often nil, causing average delays of 4-6 hours for early morning flights.
- Srinagar and Lucknow: Multiple cancellations, with flights from these hubs diverted to Jaipur or Chandigarh.
- Northern and eastern states: Fog impacting 20+ airports, including Amritsar, Prayagraj, and Patna.
Passengers report long waits, with some flights circling for over an hour before diversion. Airlines are using Category III Instrument Landing Systems (CAT III ILS) where available, but persistent zero-visibility conditions overwhelm even advanced tech. This has stranded thousands, particularly those traveling for business or family reunions during the winter season.
🚂 Train Services Paralyzed: Vande Bharat and More Hit Hard
Indian Railways, the lifeline for millions, is equally crippled. Dense fog has slowed trains to a crawl, with signaling issues and cautious speeds in low-visibility zones leading to cascading delays. Vande Bharat Express trains, India's semi-high-speed pride, have seen multiple cancellations and delays of up to 5 hours on routes like Delhi-Varanasi and Delhi-Lucknow.
In Ludhiana and other junctions, fog-related disruptions have affected over 27 trains in recent days. Northern Railway and North Central Railway zones report average delays of 2-4 hours, with some long-distance trains like the Rajdhani arriving 10+ hours late. Refunds and rescheduling options are available via the IRCTC app, but overcrowded stations add to commuter woes.
Railways employ Fog Safety Devices (FSD) that pass real-time visibility data to drivers every 20 seconds, allowing speeds up to 75 km/h in fog. However, extreme conditions still necessitate halts, underscoring the limits of current infrastructure.
🗺️ Regions Most Affected and Visibility Reports
The fog blanket stretches across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and even into Jharkhand and West Bengal. Satellite imagery from January 13 shows a massive fog patch covering the Indo-Gangetic plains, the world's most populous fog-prone region. IMD classifies fog density as:
- Moderate: 200-500m visibility
- Dense: 50-200m
- Very Dense: 0-50m
Ground reports from X posts confirm nil visibility in Gurgaon, Amritsar, and Prayagraj, with social media buzzing about stranded passengers sharing tips and frustrations. Posts from meteorologists like Navdeep Dahiya highlight the fog's expansion, predicting continued issues until midday on January 14.
🌤️ IMD Forecasts and Expected Duration
The IMD predicts dense to very dense fog persisting over the next 5-7 days in mornings across northwest, central, and northeast India. Cold wave conditions accompany the fog, with minimum temperatures dipping below 5°C in Delhi and Punjab. Relief is expected post-January 15 as winds pick up, but intermittent fog may linger through late January.
For the latest, check the IMD website, which provides city-specific bulletins. Historical data shows January as peak fog month, with 2025 seeing over 300 fog days regionally.
📚 Historical Context: A Recurring Winter Challenge
Dense fog in northern India is an annual winter staple, driven by stagnant air masses, high pollution, and agricultural stubble burning. In 2025, similar disruptions affected 500+ flights and 100+ trains in December alone. The 2026 season mirrors this, exacerbated by La Niña influences cooling the region.
Over decades, fog days have increased due to urbanization and climate shifts, impacting GDP by billions through lost productivity. Railways have invested in 4,000+ FSD units since 2018, reducing accident risks, while airports upgrade to low-visibility procedures.
🛠️ Mitigation Measures by Airlines and Railways
To combat disruptions, stakeholders deploy advanced tech:
- Railways: Fog Pass Devices, GPS-based systems, and auxiliary signaling for safer passage.
- Airlines: Low Visibility Operations (LVO) with enhanced ground lighting and pilot training for CAT IIIB landings (visibility down to 50m).
- IMD Collaboration: Real-time fog bulletins shared via apps and SMS alerts.
Long-term solutions include more Kavach anti-collision systems for trains and AI-driven fog prediction models. A recent report details how these protocols minimize risks during winter delays. For deeper insights into tech adaptations, explore this analysis on fog management.
💡 Practical Tips for Travelers Facing Fog Delays
Navigating fog disruptions requires preparation. Here's actionable advice:
- Monitor apps: Use IndiGo's or IRCTC's real-time trackers for updates.
- Opt for afternoon travel: Fog typically lifts by noon.
- Pack essentials: Extra clothes, snacks, power banks for long waits.
- Travel insurance: Covers delays over 4 hours; check policies.
- Alternatives: Buses or private cars with fog lights, but drive cautiously.
Students and academics commuting to universities like Delhi University or IIT Delhi should prioritize carpooling or remote classes if offered. For those seeking stable careers amid such uncertainties, platforms like higher-ed-jobs list remote opportunities unaffected by weather.
🎓 Broader Impacts: Economy, Education, and Daily Life
Beyond travel, fog halts economic activity, with losses estimated at ₹10,000 crore annually from delays. Schools and colleges in affected areas report low attendance, disrupting lectures and exams. International students flying into Delhi face visa and orientation delays, while conferences at institutions like JNU are postponed.
In higher education, such events highlight the need for resilient planning. Professors and researchers traveling for collaborations turn to virtual tools. Explore higher-ed-career-advice for tips on managing disruptions in academic travel. Road accidents surge 20-30% in fog, prompting safety drives.
Recent coverage on Vande Bharat impacts underscores commuter frustration voiced on X.
🔮 Outlook and Path Forward
While IMD forecasts gradual improvement, preparedness is key. Government pushes for cleaner air initiatives to curb fog intensity long-term. Travelers, stay informed and patient—fog shall pass.
In summary, this 2026 fog crisis reminds us of nature's sway over modern life. For academic professionals eyeing opportunities in stable sectors, check rate-my-professor for insights, browse university-jobs, or post openings via higher-ed-jobs. Share your experiences below to help fellow travelers.
