Bhubaneswar, Jan 3: Air travel was disrupted in Odisha’s capital Bhubaneswar on Friday morning after a thick blanket of dense fog reduced visibility to zero metres in several parts of the city, officials said.
Meteorologist Umashankar Dash confirmed the extreme fog conditions, stating that visibility dropped to zero metres across the capital region.
Sharing an update on social media platform X, Dash wrote, “Visible Distance #Zero Meters. In the Capital #Bhubaneswar region, visibility dropped to 0 metres amid extremely dense fog.”
The poor visibility significantly affected flight operations at Biju Patnaik International Airport, where several departures were delayed by two to two-and-a-half hours. Flights to destinations including Goa, Kolkata, Guwahati, Utkela, Jaipur, Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai were impacted, airport sources said.
By around 6.30 am, visibility marginally improved to about 50 metres, though conditions remained unsafe for normal flight operations. Airport authorities said they were closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with airlines to manage passenger movement and ensure safety.
Passengers expressed frustration over the prolonged delays, but officials reiterated that safety considerations remained the top priority.
The dense fog also affected road traffic across Bhubaneswar, with motorists facing difficulty navigating through low-visibility conditions. Meteorologists warned that similar foggy conditions could persist during early morning hours over the next few days and advised commuters to exercise caution.
The city witnessed one of its densest fog episodes in recent years, highlighting the challenges posed by winter weather in Odisha and the need for enhanced preparedness to minimise disruptions.
