How to beat 50 days of haze in city?

NEWDELHI: Over the last one week, Delhi was engulfed in thick fog that disrupted flight and train operations. Delhi traffic police regularly released alerts and advisories through social media accounts to relay live information about fog affected areas. One such list of 20 dos and don’ts during foggy conditions was released on Saturday.

Scientists say instances of dense fog conditions are increasing over the years. “While number of intense fog occurrences in the month of December (reducing visibility to 200m or less) at IGI airport have increased by 7-10 times since mid-1960s, and their frequency has shot up to 20 times in January during the same period,” said RK Jenamani, head of the Met office at Delhi’s IGI airport.

Met officials say in Delhi, maximum fog formation takes place in December and January. While January sees around 17 days of fog, December sees around 15 days.

Experts say there is little that can be done in the nearly 50 foggy days in a year to ensure that the fog does not take its toll on the lives on the city streets.

Joint commissioner of police (traffic) Garima Bhatnagar said it is advised to use low-beam headlights because high beams reflect off the moisture droplets in the fog, making it harder to see. Bhatnagar also advised motorists not to speed or overtake a vehicle during fog conditions if the vehicle in front is moving slowly.

Special commissioner of police (traffic) Dependra Pathak said all traffic inspectors must conduct a recce of roads during foggy conditions to ensure that there are no vehicles which have broken down on the road. “Such vehicles cause accidents. Our officers ensure that such vehicles are immediately towed to minimise the risk of accidents.”

S Velmurugan, senior principal scientist, traffic engineering and safety division, Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) said the government should sensitise citizens. “On highways where fog is usually dense, the government should use toll plazas to create awareness among people towards safe driving in foggy conditions. The government can also distribute pamphlets asking people to go slow and install fog lamps in their vehicles before driving in foggy conditions,” he said.