Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Dec 18: Dense fog blanketed Kashmir on Thursday, snarling traffic and disrupting travel during morning and evening rush hours
Witnesses said that several roads across the Valley, including Srinagar-Jammu highway, Baramulla-Handwara, and Pulwama-Kulgam routes and other Srinagar city roads saw a low visibility due to thick fog.
Officials warned drivers to exercise caution and follow traffic advisories to avoid accidents.
“Fog has reduced visibility to less than 50 metres in many parts of the Valley, affecting both local and inter-district travel,” said a Traffic Police officer. “We have deployed additional personnel to guide traffic and ensure smooth movement on key routes.”
“Transporters have been advised to take precautionary measures and avoid unnecessary travel during peak fog hours,” the official added.
Passengers travelling on highways reported delays as vehicles moved at slow speeds. “We had to drive the car at a very low speed in the morning due to the dense fog. It took us over an hour to cover just a few kilometres,” said Mohammad Irfan, a daily commuter from Baramulla to Srinagar.
Meteorological officials said that the fog is likely to persist for the next few days, particularly during early mornings and late evenings, due to dropping night temperatures.
Residents are urged to take precautions, especially those travelling in fog-prone hilly areas. “Motorists should use fog lights, maintain safe distances, and follow all traffic rules,” said another official.
Meanwhile, the administration has also advised tourists to check road conditions before travelling and to avoid unnecessary night journeys, particularly in higher reaches where fog tends to be denser.
