Dense fog affects normal life in North India

New Delhi/Noida/Rohtak, Jan 20 (ANI): Residents in New Delhi got a feel of heavy winter today as dense fog descended the capital reducing normal visibility to a zilch in some areas.

According to media reports, as many as 30 international flights were diverted to nearby airports due to poor visibility, most of the domestic flights were either delayed or cancelled.

The visibility at the main runway was between 150-175 metres, while at the new runway it was between 75-100 metres.

"Our flight has been delayed by two hours. They have not given any confirmation about the delayed flight, whether it is two hours late or the delayed time can extend also. Due to heavy fog since midnight, all the flights have been delayed," said Aman, a passenger.

Dense fog continues to play havoc in many parts of Northern India forcing the traffic to snarl on the roads as poor visibility brought traffic to a virtual halt.

In Noida, a van collided head-on with a truck due to dense fog, killing the driver of the van on the spot.

The conditions were equally bad in Haryana's Rohtak District where the visibility dipped below one meter.

"Due to the dense fog we are unable to see beyond the distance one meter. We have parked our vehicles at side due to poor visibility," said a resident, Mahender Singh.

The Indian Meteorological Department has forecast intense cold and foggy days ahead with minimum temperatures in the region expected to hover between 5 to 7 degrees Celsius. (ANI)