Bhubaneswar: People in Bhubaneswar and Kataka woke up to the first dense fog of the current season on Saturday morning, with visibility dropping to around 150 metres in several areas.
The dense fog was observed from the early hours, with visibility dropping significantly between approximately 5 am and 7 am.
According to information, a thick layer of fog engulfed large parts of capital city in the morning, reducing visibility significantly and disrupting normal life.
Vehicular movement was particularly affected along National Highway-16, Kataka’s Ring Road, Nandankanan Road, Bhubaneswar’s Uttara Chhak and adjoining suburban areas.
Motorists faced difficulty in navigating the roads as the dense fog slowed down vehicular movement across the city. Commuters reported cautious driving, with traffic moving at a reduced pace especially on major thoroughfares.
The fog appeared after the passage of cyclone ‘Arnab’. Night-time temperatures also dropped, bringing a mild chill that residents described as the first hint of the approaching winter season.
The dense fog was attributed by experts to high atmospheric humidity combined with a fall in nighttime temperatures over the past few days. Such conditions favour the formation of fog, particularly during early morning hours.
Officials have advised motorists to drive carefully, use headlights and fog lights, and maintain safe distances during dense fog.