LUCKNOW, March 12 -- : The state capital woke up to an unusual mix of haze and shallow fog on Wednesday morning - a phenomenon more typical of winter - as moisture from a western disturbance combined with dust carried by west winds enveloped the city, meteorological experts said.

Bareilly and Meerut experienced even more dense haze than what it was on Monday. A similar condition was seen in Prayagraj as well. People in Varanasi also experienced smog-like conditions till noon. AQI in Meerut was poor at 247 and in Bareilly it was satisfactory at 92.

Although fog in March is rare, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said such episodes have occurred in the past too, like in March 2008.

IMD experts said the hazy conditions were linked...