Residents wake up to foggy morning

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 17

City residents on Thursday woke up to a foggy morning. Chilly winds blew through the city, causing sudden drop in temperature. Fog led to poor visibility on city roads till 10 am.

A thick layer of fog restricted the penetration of sunrays in the morning. The fog cleared by noon.

The worst affected were morning walkers and commuters. The road traffic was also disrupted. Drivers drove their vehicle with headlights on due to poor visibility.

Commuters travelling on national highways from the city were also affected while trains also remained a little late due to the fog.

As per a report of the Punjab Agricultural University’s (PAU) regional centre, the maximum temperature in Bathinda was recorded 19.2 degree Celsius while the minimum was 3.2 degree Celsius. The visibility was reduced to 50 m due to the dense fog.

“It will be mainly clear sky with moderate to dense fog in the morning. Haze or smoke will be witnessed thereafter with maximum temperature may touch 18 degrees Celsius and minimum 7 degrees Celsius,” the Met office said in its forecast.

Traffic experts said the police and transport officials should scale up their activities to avert any accident.

Preventive measures include setting the headlights on low beam. Driving at a slow speed can better equip one to react to the sudden traffic appearing from the veil of fog.

Amid low visibility, sounds of the approaching vehicles, like tyres and horns, can help estimate the distance. So, while driving through fog, keep music off and roll down window glasses, say experts.

Using blinking indicators to signal others about approaching vehicles is of great help. A good distance from other vehicles must be maintained and one shouldn’t try to overtake.

Besides, one should turn on heater as fog outside often causes condensation inside.