Dhaka was shrouded in dense fog on Thursday morning, disrupting daily life across the capital as visibility fell sharply in several key areas, affecting road traffic, public transport and flight operations.
The fog began to form late on Wednesday night and intensified in the early hours, blanketing neighbourhoods including Shahbagh, Motijheel, Uttara, and Mirpur, as well as areas around the airport. Commuters reported severely reduced visibility between about 5:00am and 9:00am, forcing vehicles to slow down on major roads.
Traffic police said the poor visibility led to congestion at several busy intersections as drivers proceeded cautiously. Authorities urged motorists to switch on headlights, avoid sudden lane changes, and maintain safe distances while driving, despite the absence of major accidents.
Officials at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport reported that low visibility caused delays for several early-morning flights. Airport operations gradually returned to normal later in the morning as conditions improved.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said the fog was the result of high humidity, calm winds, and a drop in overnight temperatures— conditions commonly observed during the winter season.
“Such foggy weather is typical in December and January,” a BMD meteorologist said, adding that cold air trapped close to the ground often leads to reduced visibility, particularly in densely built urban areas like Dhaka.
The weather office warned that similar foggy conditions could continue over the coming days, especially during the early morning hours, and advised commuters—particularly long-distance travellers—to plan their journeys accordingly.
The weather also affected river transport, causing ferry services on several routes to operate at reduced capacity until visibility improved.
Health experts cautioned that prolonged exposure to cold, foggy air could aggravate respiratory problems. They advised older people and children, as well as those with asthma or heart conditions, to take extra precautions.
Air quality monitoring platforms showed that Dhaka’s Air Quality Index (AQI) during the foggy morning ranged between 160 and 220, placing it in the “Unhealthy” to “Very Unhealthy” category. The main pollutants were fine particulate matter, including PM2.5 and PM10.
Environmental specialists said winter fog often traps pollutants close to the ground, worsening air quality and increasing health risks. Dhaka frequently ranks among cities with the poorest winter air quality due to emissions from traffic, construction dust, brick kilns and industrial activity, combined with stagnant weather conditions.
By mid-morning, sunlight gradually dispersed the fog, restoring visibility and easing traffic conditions across much of the city. Meteorologists predicted clearer weather later in the day, but the early-morning fog and poor air quality are likely to persist as winter continues.
