Thick fog hinders traffic flow near Hyderabad

Poor visibility caused by thick fog early on Saturday on the National Highway-44, particularly on the stretch from Kothur to Nandigama, led to three separate accidents, in which two persons suffered minor injuries and 14 vehicles were damaged.

Four cars, two buses, two lorries and two auto-trolleys were damaged in the accidents between Kothur and Nandigama, around 40 km from here, at 7.15 am. These accidents happened while the vehicles were coming towards Hyderabad. At one place, cars hit one after the other from behind resulting in damages to all the vehicles, while at another place, a national permit lorry crashed into an RTC bus. The front portion of an auto-trolley was damaged when it hit a lorry from behind. Another auto had its front portion completely mangled in the same accident.

Nandigama Sub-Inspector B Narasimha Reddy said the vehicles that met with accidents were cleared using cranes within a few minutes after the incident. “As it was a National Highway, we cleared the vehicles quickly to ensure smooth flow of traffic,” he said. He advised motorists to avoid driving in early hours to avert accidents.

Avoid early morning journey: Cyberabad Police advisory

In a rare situation, the Cyberabad Police on Saturday warned people



heading for their native places for the Sankranti festival to plan their journey during the daytime so as to avoid ‘fog’ related incidents. The rare warning came after three persons were injured in a fog related road accident in Ranga Reddy district in the wee hours of the day.

“We appeal to those heading to their native places to travel after 8 am. The Indian Meteorological Department had said that the fog conditions will continue for next four to five days. It is better to avoid travelling in the night or early hours of the day,” Cyberabad Commissioner VC Sajjanar said.

The police issued the advisory on social media, along with three videos that has the Commissioner addressing the public, after noticing heavy rush on the highways, especially those bound for different districts in the State and also for neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

Since Friday night, vehicles have piled up at Panthangi toll plaza on National Highway 65 and at Gudur toll plaza on Hyderabad-Warangal Highway in Yadadri-Bhongir district. Thick fog also contributed to the slow movement of the vehicles on the National Highway causing poor vision, officials said.

Those with emergencies should travel taking necessary precautions, officials added.