Dense fog and a sharp drop in temperature disrupted normal life in Lamtaput in Odisha's Koraput district, as residents continue to face bone-chilling conditions for the past several days. The severe cold, which arrived late in the region following the withdrawal of the monsoon, has persisted for four days and left the entire town covered under a thick blanket of fog.

The dense fog has significantly reduced visibility on major routes, causing difficulties for vehicles plying on the roads. According to reports, residents are finding it unsafe to walk along the roads due to poor visibility, which has increased the risk of accidents. 

Locals have been gathering mainly around bonfire spots to cope with the cold, while many are avoiding stepping out of their homes unless necessary. This has reportedly affected local businesses and vendors, who have seen reduced footfall over the past few days.

Emergency Services Affected Due To Fog

Concerns have also been raised regarding the movement of ambulances on the ghati road, especially during peak fog hours. Locals alleged that ambulance services are adversely affected as vehicles are forced to travel extremely slowly due to low visibility, increasing the risk of accidents and potentially delaying their arrival to patients in need.

A resident said the cold has been particularly harsh this week. “For the last five or six days, the winter has intensified. Vehicular movement is particularly affected given the dense fog, and people are also feeling scared to walk on the road,” he said.

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With dense fog covering the town and the temperature remaining low, residents continue to brace for further disruptions as winter conditions persist.