A relentless cold wave continues to tighten its grip on North India, exacerbating weather conditions as dense fog blankets the region. The resulting low visibility has led to disruptions in flight and train operations, affecting daily life across several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Delhi. This detailed article explores the impact of the dense fog, regional variations in visibility, its repercussions on transportation, and the ongoing struggle against the cold wave. Taazinews 24 has extended its presence to WhatsApp. Tap here to join and receive the latest updates on Daily News.

Current Weather Conditions:

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported ‘very dense fog’ covering Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, and Bihar, while ‘dense fog’ engulfed Madhya Pradesh and Tripura. Additionally, the Jammu division experienced ‘moderate’ fog. Notably, visibility dropped to as low as 25 meters in various regions, creating hazardous conditions for travel.

Regional Visibility Highlights:

In different parts of the affected states, visibility ranged from 25 to 700 meters. For instance, Bareilly and Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Bikaner in Rajasthan, and Gaya and Purnea in Bihar reported only 25 meters of visibility. Cities like Prayagraj, Varanasi, Jaisalmer, Kota, Jaipur, Sagar, and Agartala faced visibility challenges ranging from 50 to 200 meters. In Delhi, Safdarjung recorded 500 meters, while Palam reported 700 meters.

Impact on Flight Operations:

Low visibility caused by the thick fog resulted in significant delays and disruptions in flight operations at the Delhi airport. Passengers experienced inconvenience as several flights were affected, underscoring the need for caution and alternative travel plans during this period.

Adverse Incidents:

Tragically, on Wednesday, a head-on collision between a bus and a truck in Assam’s Golaghat district claimed 12 lives and left 38 injured. The incident was attributed to the thick fog that shrouded eastern, northern, and central parts of India, severely reducing visibility.

India Meteorological Department’s Forecast:

The IMD predicts persisting cold to severe cold day conditions in certain regions of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan for the next two days. Dense to very dense fog is expected to continue over parts of Northwest and East India during this period, gradually decreasing thereafter.

Minimum Temperatures and Forecast:

The minimum temperatures range from 6-9 degrees Celsius over most parts of Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Meanwhile, temperatures in East Uttar Pradesh, North Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Sikkim range from 10-12 degrees Celsius. These temperatures are 2-4 degrees above normal in many parts of Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Gujarat. No significant change in minimum temperatures is anticipated over the rest of North India in the next five days.

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