In response to the prevailing conditions, the Chandigarh Traffic Police has issued a detailed advisory, urging the the public to remain cautious while driving during foggy conditions. (ANI)
The Meteorological Department, Chandigarh, has issued a dense to very dense fog warning for the city, cautioning that foggy conditions are likely to continue over the next few days, affecting visibility during late night and early morning hours.
The warning comes amid forecasts of a western disturbance likely to affect northern parts of India from December 20, under whose influence light rainfall is expected at isolated places between December 20 and 22. Thereafter, weather conditions are expected to turn largely dry, though fog may still linger during night and morning hours, mentioned the Met Department, Chandigarh.
According to the Met Department’s latest assessment, dense to very dense fog has been observed in Chandigarh, including at the Chandigarh airport area, with humidity levels remaining high — conditions that are conducive to the persistence of thick fog. On Thursday, several parts of the city witnessed extremely low visibility, disrupting smooth vehicular movement and causing delays for office-goers and inter-city commuters travelling towards Panchkula, Mohali and Zirakpur.
As per official observations recorded at the Chandigarh Weather Observatory, the maximum temperature in the city stood at 21.9 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature was recorded at 9.9 degrees Celsius, both marginally above normal. The maximum relative humidity touched 95 per cent while minimum humidity was around 53 per cent.
The five-day forecast for the Chandigarh region indicates partly cloudy skies till December 21, followed by mainly clear conditions thereafter. Maximum temperatures are expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 23 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures may fluctuate between 8 degrees Celsius and 11 degrees Celsius. Despite stable temperatures, meteorologists have cautioned that fog intensity may remain high during night and early morning hours, particularly on December 19, with dense fog at isolated places likely on December 20 as well.
The dense fog on Thursday posed considerable challenges to motorists. “I was driving into Chandigarh from Ambala early in the morning, and visibility was hardly a few metres on some stretches. Even with fog lights on, it was difficult to judge the distance of the vehicle ahead,” said Rishi Sharma, a private employee who commutes daily to the city.
Another commuter, Anas Ahmed, who was travelling from Mohali to Sector 43, said the fog made driving stressful and time-consuming. “The entire drive felt risky because cyclists and pedestrians were barely visible. I had to slow down significantly, and it took me much longer than usual to reach my destination,” she said.
Traffic Police advisory
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In response to the prevailing conditions, the Chandigarh Traffic Police has issued a detailed advisory, urging the the public to remain cautious while driving during foggy conditions.
Motorists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel during dense fog, drive at reduced speeds, maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, and strictly avoid lane jumping. The use of headlights and fog lights has been strongly recommended, while parking vehicles on roadsides has been discouraged due to the heightened risk of accidents in low visibility.
A senior traffic police official said that traffic police personnel have been deployed at vulnerable and high-traffic stretches to manage traffic flow and assist commuters. “Dense fog significantly reduces reaction time and visibility. We urge drivers to strictly follow traffic rules, use fog lights properly, and stay alert for pedestrians and cyclists. Our teams are on the ground to ensure smoother traffic movement and to respond quickly to any emergencies,” the official said.
The Met Department has also highlighted potential impacts of dense fog on transport and aviation, warning of slower journey times and the possibility of traffic collisions. Citizens have been advised to limit outdoor exposure unless necessary and to cover their face when stepping out during peak fog hours.
Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula).
Professional Background
Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases.
Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region.
Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns:
1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts
"12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013.
"‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case.
"Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification.
2. Investigative & Scams
"CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus.
"Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh.
3. Environment & Public Safety
"Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities.
"Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos.
4. Gangster Culture & Crime
"City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules.
"Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26.
Signature Style
Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More
