A thick blanket of fog disrupted normal life across several parts of North India on Sunday morning, leading to accidents, traffic snarls, and flight disruptions. In Uttar Pradesh, a major road accident occurred on the Delhi–Lucknow National Highway (NH-9) in Amroha district, leaving at least 12 people injured.
Massive Pile-Up in Amroha
The accident took place near Shahwazpur Dor village under the Gajraula Kotwali police station limits. Due to extremely poor visibility caused by dense fog, drivers failed to spot vehicles ahead in time. As a result, nearly 10 vehicles rammed into each other in quick succession, triggering a major pile-up on the busy highway.
According to reports, the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals soon after the incident. Police and emergency response teams reached the spot immediately after receiving information and launched rescue operations. Officials confirmed that no fatalities were reported, but several vehicles suffered severe damage.
Traffic Disrupted, Later Restored
The accident caused heavy traffic congestion on the highway, leaving commuters stranded for hours. However, police later used cranes to remove the damaged vehicles and gradually restored traffic flow. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact sequence of events.
Fog Paralyzes North India
Meanwhile, dense fog also engulfed Delhi and surrounding regions, severely impacting road, rail, and air travel. In the national capital, the Air Quality Index crossed 430 in several areas, prompting authorities to enforce GRAP-4 restrictions from Saturday to curb pollution.
Temperatures in Delhi dipped sharply to 9.4 degrees Celsius, while visibility dropped to near zero in many locations. The India Meteorological Department reported zero visibility at airports in Palam (Delhi), Amritsar, Agra, Gwalior, Prayagraj, and Jaisalmer. Visibility also fell to 200 meters at Safdarjung and 300 meters at Shillong airport.
Flights Delayed, Diverted
Due to adverse weather conditions, several domestic and international flights were delayed, while some were diverted as a precautionary measure. Officials advised passengers to check flight schedules before heading to airports.
Authorities have urged motorists to drive cautiously, maintain safe distances, and avoid high speeds during foggy conditions as cold wave conditions continue to grip North India.
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