Thick mist in Vellore and nearby districts puts motorists on arterial stretches at risk

Dense fog has put motorists at risk due to poor visibility for vehicles on major arteries such as Chennai – Bengaluru Expressway (NH 48) and Ranipet – Krishnagiri High Road (SH 24) in Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur and Tiruvannamalai districts.

Meteorologists at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Vellore Observatory said the early arrival of thick fog in interior areas like Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai and Tirupattur districts was due to the lack of sea breeze, which reduces the early formation of fog or haze during monsoon.

Early fog and haze also indicate long, cool nights and less daylight, meteorologists said. “Coastal areas like Chennai have the advantage of sea breeze, which reduces harsh cold weather during the night. The intensity of cold air will be felt much higher in January – February in inland areas like Vellore and surrounding districts,” said Vellore Observatory (IMD) meteorologist ‘A’ NA Nehru Raj. Hindu.

Fog forms due to temperatures falling below the dew point, which is a measure of humidity and excess humidity. Dense fog is experienced in areas like Gudiyatham, Katpadi, Walajah, Arcot, Vaniyambadi, Tirupattur, Arani, Arakkonam, Tiruvannamalai town, Cheyyar and Vandavasi. Traffic on major roads like Chennai – Bengaluru Expressway (NH 44) and Cuddalore – Chittoor Expressway was also affected due to reduced visibility. Driver B. Vinod said, “We have to rely on the headlights of the vehicles for better visibility of the vehicles on the highways. Adequate safety measures such as flashing lights and reflectors should be installed on elevated corridors and bridges.”

Meteorologists said the fog provided visibility of only up to 1.5 kilometers due to thick dust particles. In hazy weather, drivers can clearly see vehicles and objects from a distance of approximately five km.

It is mostly fog in the region until 09.00 in the morning, and then fog until 11.00. In hazy weather, warm air gradually increases, providing more sunlight in the afternoons. Fog poses a greater risk to drivers, as vehicle visibility is only possible up to a distance of less than 500 metres.

Another feature of the weather change is that the night hours will be longer and the days will be shorter in inland areas. Since last week, sunset in Vellore and neighboring areas in the district has been recorded to be around 5.30 pm, indicating a change in the weather pattern. Before this, sunset in the area was around 18.45.