A thick layer of dense fog shrouded the capital city early this morning, marking the season’s first significant onset of winter conditions for residents. Between 5 AM and 7 AM, visibility dropped drastically to nearly 150 meters, causing severe disruptions to morning vehicular traffic and posing challenges for early commuters.
Key transit corridors across the city—including National Highway-16, Nandan Kanan Road, and Uttara Square—saw traffic slow to a crawl. Drivers were forced to turn on their headlights and fog lights, maintaining lower speeds to navigate the near-zero clarity ahead. The sudden decline in visibility was not restricted to Bhubaneswar alone; neighboring Kataka and Jagatsinghpur also reported heavy fog. Traffic along Cuttack’s Ring Road and surrounding areas was similarly affected throughout the early hours.
Meteorological experts attribute this sharp rise in atmospheric humidity and sudden morning fog to the receding impact of Cyclone Arnab, combined with a noticeable drop in overnight temperatures. The atmospheric change is being viewed by locals as the formal signal of winter’s arrival in coastal Odisha.
In light of the poor visibility, traffic and safety authorities have issued an advisory urging drivers to exercise heightened caution on the roads. Motorists are advised to use low-beam headlights or specialized fog lamps, reduce driving speeds, and maintain a safe following distance from vehicles ahead to prevent accidents.
According to weather officials, if nocturnal temperatures continue to slide over the coming days, similar foggy mornings could recur across the Twin City region. While conditions gradually normalized by mid-morning as the fog cleared under sunlight, commuters are advised to stay alert during early morning travel in the days ahead.
