Residents in Delhi experienced a foggy and chilling morning on Saturday, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting dense fog and cold conditions in north India for the coming days. The weather scenario affected railway operations as visibility dropped due to the dense fog enveloping several regions, including the iconic India Gate. The department observed this dense foggy condition across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar with significantly reduced visibility measurements in various cities. Simultaneously, trains like Shram Shakti Express faced delays, causing inconvenience at New Delhi Railway Station.
As cold grips the capital, the temperature dropped to 4.3 degrees Celsius, four degrees below the seasonal average, while a slight improvement in air quality was noted on Sunday, although it remained in the ‘very poor’ category. The chilling weather has brought health concerns; respiratory issues and eye irritation are frequent among Delhi’s citizens. Looking towards the western Himalayas, experts predict western disturbances will bring two waves of the cold wave, with the region and adjoining plains expected to feel its impact. Snowfall is also on the card for states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
In Uttar Pradesh, dense fog has led to tragic road accidents, resulting in fatalities and injuries. Foggy conditions also prevailed in Rajasthan, where the minimum temperatures were notably low, as well as in Punjab and Haryana. As the weather takes a harsh turn, the IMD has flagged an orange alert for dense fog and severe cold in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, extending its alert for anticipated adverse conditions until the end of January. With predictions of rainfall and snowfall across various northern regions, the coming days are expected to see further disruptions and calls for caution amid severe winter manifestations.