Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department has officially issued a yellow warning for dense fog across Sundargarh, Koraput, and Kandhamal districts for today and tomorrow. This atmospheric alert indicates that visibility is expected to drop significantly, falling between 50 and 200 meters during the early morning hours, which may pose risks for commuters and disrupt travel on major highways.
In addition to the localized fog, the regional meteorological center in Bhubaneswar reports that dry weather will continue to prevail across the rest of the state. While the interior regions are experiencing an intensifying winter chill, the state capital is seeing relatively stable conditions with daily highs reaching 26°C or 27°C and minimum night temperatures settling around 12°C to 14°C.
Authorities have advised residents in the affected interior districts to exercise extreme caution while driving and to use fog lights during the morning hours. Health experts also suggest that people in hilly areas like Phulbani and Similiguda, where temperatures have recently dipped as low as 5°C to 7°C, remain prepared for cold-related conditions as the dry north-westerly winds persist.
Flight operations at Odisha’s major airports are currently managing seasonal mist and haze, which is typical for mid-December. Visibility levels fluctuate significantly between the early morning hours and late afternoon.
As of Wednesday, December 17, 2025, here is the visibility status for the state’s key airports: Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar The airport is currently reporting visibility of approximately 1,500 meters. Early morning conditions saw a drop to around 1,000 meters due to mist, but skies remain clear of significant cloud cover. Visibility is expected to improve to 2,500 meters or more as the day progresses and the sun warms the atmosphere.
Veer Surendra Sai Airport, Jharsuguda Visibility at Jharsuguda is hovering around 2,500 meters. The area is experiencing a notable winter chill with morning temperatures near 9°C, leading to persistent haze. While these conditions generally allow for standard flight operations, pilots and passengers should be aware of the 2.5 km limit during early arrivals.
Rourkela and Jeypore Airports Regional airports in the western and southern belts are facing the most challenging conditions. Rourkela reported visibility as low as 500 meters in the pre-dawn hours today due to the yellow warning for dense fog in the Sundargarh district. Jeypore and other regional strips in the Koraput and Kandhamal regions are also seeing visibility drop below 1,000 meters during the early morning, typically recovering only after 9:00 AM.
Airline operators like IndiGo have issued travel advisories for East India, suggesting that passengers check their flight status before heading to the airport as slow flight movements may occur during these misty morning windows.