Dense Fog Envelops northern India: Disruptions worsen amid cold wave
Delhi: Northern India battles dense fog and a cold wave, with Delhi and NCR facing near-zero visibility and plunging temperatures. The IMD predicts persistent fog and gradual temperature rises, while shelters provide relief to the homeless.
Delhi: The dense fog had covered Delhi, Noida, and other regions of the National Capital Region (NCR) on Wednesday, and in many places, visibility went to near zero. The cold wave conditions further intensified their grip over northern India, affecting life significantly and disrupting transport. In Delhi, early morning temperatures had dropped to 10°C by 5:30 AM. According to the India Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature for the day was to be 9°C and a maximum of 19°C.
Cloudy skies and possibility of drizzle
The IMD forecasted a generally cloudy sky with a possibility of light rain or drizzle in Delhi. Minimum temperatures were said to be "appreciably above normal" (3°C to 5°C) in isolated places in Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh. Surface winds from the southeast at less than 4 km/h were recorded during the morning, which increased to 6-8 km/h in the afternoon. It would be smoggy and there would be shallow to moderate fog in the evening and nighttime conditions.
Homeless seek shelter from harsh weather
As the cold wave continued, several homeless people in Delhi resorted to night shelters to protect themselves from the harsh cold. Photographs from the city showed people covered in blankets issued at the night shelters. Though IMD's bulletin forecasted no sharp drop in minimum temperatures over northwest India, it did expect a steady increase of 2-3°C over the next three days.
Prolonged fog conditions predicted
Dense to very dense fog is forecasted to persist during nighttime and early morning hours in parts of West and East Uttar Pradesh. Similar conditions will prevail in Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, and Punjab during 19th January. Dense fog had on Tuesday also played havoc with the schedules of the train and brought visibility down to below 50 metres in Delhi during the day too, especially at Palam where there was "zero visibility" throughout the day as well.
Temperature trends and regional variations
Tuesday's maximum temperature in Delhi stood at 21.2°C, 1.3°C above normal, while the minimum was recorded at 8.9°C, 1.5°C above average. Meanwhile, weather conditions in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh are expected to remain harsh until mid-January, with visibility and transportation heavily impacted by dense fog.
