Dense Fog Engulfs Uttar Pradesh, Taj Mahal Obscured and Ayodhya Pilgrim Footfall Drops

Lucknow | December 17, 2025 Dense fog and cold winter conditions disrupted life across Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, significantly affecting visibility and daily routines in several cities. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported visibility between 50 and 200 metres in many areas and warned that poor visibility is likely to continue across the state until Wednesday morning. In Agra, the fog shrouded the iconic Taj Mahal for several hours, leaving visitors disappointed. From the Taj View Point, where the monument is usually fully visible, only a faint silhouette could be seen in the morning. Local resident Ramesh Kumar said, “Due to the fog, even the Taj Mahal was not visible today, though it is usually clear.” As the morning progressed, the monument gradually became more visible, but the dense mist still affected sightseeing. Ayodhya also experienced a dip in pilgrim footfall due to the weather. Temple staff noted fewer devotees visiting the city’s religious sites compared to normal days. Local residents suggested lighting bonfires along roadsides to help visitors and commuters cope with the cold. Shopkeeper Deepak Chaurasia said the cold weather had reduced business and affected daily activities. The fog caused disruptions in the state capital Lucknow, where several flights were delayed, and road traffic slowed significantly. Commuters faced difficulties navigating through low visibility. Dr Mayur Singh shared that his commute from Lucknow to AIIMS Raebareli took over an hour longer than usual, as he had to drive cautiously at speeds below 30 km/h. Wrong-side driving by some vehicles, including trucks, added to the risk of accidents. Similar conditions were reported in Kaushambi, Bareilly, Prayagraj, and Varanasi, where roads became challenging to navigate, and pedestrians had to be extra careful. Residents lit bonfires to keep warm, and sanitation workers relied on them to continue their morning duties. E-rickshaw drivers and other commuters wore additional layers and drove slowly to ensure safety. The fog also had a tragic impact on road safety. Officials reported five major road accidents across Uttar Pradesh, resulting in 25 deaths and nearly 60 injuries. The most severe incident occurred on the Yamuna Expressway in Mathura, where a multi-vehicle collision took place in the dense fog. The IMD issued yellow and orange warnings across several districts, advising caution for road, rail, and air travel. Dry weather is expected to continue for the next two to three days, but the dense fog is likely to persist in many regions, particularly in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Authorities urged citizens to remain vigilant while traveling and take necessary precautions in the ongoing foggy Dense Fog Engulfs Uttar Pradesh, Taj Mahal Obscured and Ayodhya Pilgrim Footfall Drops Dense fog swept across Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, affecting daily life, travel, and tourism. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported visibility between 50 and 200 metres at many places, warning that poor visibility could continue till Wednesday morning. In Agra, the thick fog hid the iconic Taj Mahal for several hours. From the Taj View Point, where visitors usually get a clear view of the monument, only a faint silhouette was visible in the morning. Local resident Ramesh Kumar said, “Even the Taj Mahal was not visible today, though it is usually clear.” As the fog slowly lifted, the monument became slightly more visible, but sightseeing remained difficult. Ayodhya also saw fewer pilgrims visiting temples due to the weather. Temple staff reported lower footfall compared to normal days. Locals suggested lighting bonfires along roadsides to help visitors cope with the cold. Shopkeeper Deepak Chaurasia said the weather affected both business and daily activities. Travel in Lucknow and other cities was disrupted, with delayed flights and slow-moving road traffic. Commuters had to drive cautiously at very low speeds. Dr Mayur Singh shared that his usual 1.5-hour commute took over two hours because of poor visibility, and he was concerned about wrong-side driving by trucks and other vehicles. Similar conditions were reported in Kaushambi, Bareilly, Prayagraj, and Varanasi. Residents lit bonfires to stay warm, and sanitation workers relied on them to continue their work. Pedestrians were extra cautious, while drivers used low speeds and additional safety measures to navigate the fog. The fog also led to road accidents, with five major incidents reported across the state, causing 25 deaths and nearly 60 injuries. The most severe accident occurred on the Yamuna Expressway in Mathura, where dense fog contributed to a multi-vehicle collision. Authorities issued warnings and urged citizens to remain vigilant on roads, while dry weather is expected to continue over the next few days.