Kolkata/Darjeeling: Travelers heading to the hills or commuting across North Bengal today need to exercise extreme caution. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘Dense Fog’ alert for North Bengal districts for the next 48 hours, warning of visibility dropping below 50 meters. Meanwhile, tourists in the hills might be in for a wintry mix—rain for the towns and snow for the peaks.
North Bengal: The Fog Warning
A thick layer of fog has descended upon the plains of North Bengal, severely impacting early morning visibility.
- Affected Districts: Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, and North Dinajpur.
- Visibility: Dropped to 50-200 meters in isolated pockets this morning.
- Impact: Morning flights at Bagdogra Airport are facing delays due to low visibility (800m recorded at 8:30 AM). Trains passing through the Chicken’s Neck corridor are running at reduced speeds.
Darjeeling & Sikkim: Rain, Snow & Hail
While the plains struggle with fog, the hills are facing a wet cold spell.
- The Forecast: The IMD predicts light rain for Darjeeling town. Snowfall is likely restricted to higher altitudes like Sandakphu and parts of North Sikkim.
- Sikkim Alert: Travelers to Sikkim should note that hailstorms are also predicted along with rain in isolated spots (Gangtok, Pakyong).
- Temperature: The minimum temperature in Darjeeling has dipped to 4.4°C. While too warm for snow in town, it creates a shivering chill for tourists.
- Tourist Rush: Adventure seekers are rushing toward Tiger Hill and Sandakphu in hopes of catching the fresh snowfall.
Kolkata: Pleasant & Misty
The state capital remains spared from the harsh extremes but is seeing comfortable afternoon temperatures.
- Status: Kolkata is experiencing fog/mist in the early morning followed by clear, sunny skies.
- Temperature: The minimum temperature is hovering around 16°C, with the maximum reaching a pleasant 27°C.
- Outlook: No rain is predicted for Kolkata; the weather will remain dry with sunny afternoons for the weekend.
Why This Matters To You
- For Tourists: If you are driving to Gangtok or Darjeeling, be careful on the Siliguri-Sevoke route due to poor visibility. Expect slippery roads near Sandakphu.
- For Commuters: Drive with fog lights ON in Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri.
- For Flyers: Check your flight status before leaving for Bagdogra; delays are likely before 10 AM.
Key Highlights Box
| Category | Status |
| 🚨 Fog Alert | Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar (Visibility < 200m) |
| ❄️ Snow Chance | Sandakphu & North Sikkim (High Altitudes) |
| ⛈️ Hail Alert | Isolated spots in Sikkim (Jan 29) |
| 🌡️ Kolkata | 16°C (Min) / 27°C (Max) – Pleasant Winter |
| ✈️ Travel | Expect delays at Bagdogra/NJP due to morning fog |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A: Delays are likely during morning hours (until 10 AM) due to low visibility (currently ~800m). Cancellations are rare unless the fog persists past noon. Check with your airline.
A: No, it is currently cloudy with rain predicted for the town (Temp: ~4.4°C). Snowfall is happening only in higher reaches like Sandakphu or Phalut.
A: The IMD has forecast dense fog conditions to continue during morning hours for the next 2 days (Jan 29-30).
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