Dense fog over Patna Junction on Friday. One train was cancelled and several others delayed because of the weather. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Jan. 20: Professionals in the city did not take frequent tea breaks today. They preferred to stay put in the warm confines of their office as fog and chill returned with a vengeance this morning.

“I did not want to get out of my house in the morning because of the mist and the overcast sky. The gloomy conditions remained constant throughout the day. We did not even go out of office for a quick tea break at the stall nearby,” said Shailesh Singh, a telecom executive.

There was no respite on offer today, unlike yesterday, when the sun came out in the afternoon. Students shivered on their way to school and while returning home.

“It was so pleasant and warm yesterday afternoon, when we returned home from school. But today, it remained cold throughout the day. The cold is stinging,” said Anubha Agarwal, a student of Ishaan International School.

Train and flight schedules were also thrown out of gear. A source at Patna Junction said Jan Sadharan Express was cancelled while several others were delayed by hours. The situation was no better at the airport. Kingfisher morning flight IT 3341 (Delhi-Ranchi-Patna-Delhi) was cancelled. Many others were delayed. Airport officials claimed that the situation improved slightly later in the day.

Weathermen claimed that a western disturbance over the state had caused the dip in temperature. “The chill is back because of a cyclonic circulation over Bihar and Jharkhand. The maximum temperature was just 16.8°C — five degrees below normal,” said Animesh Chandra, director, Patna Met department.

He added that the overcast conditions could clear tomorrow. “The day temperature could rise and people may get some respite,” said Chandra.