The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for severe cold day conditions persisting over North India for the next two days, with a subsequent decrease in intensity. Additionally, the Western Himalayan Region is expected to experience light rainfall or snowfall from January 25 to 28, according to the weather agency.
A 'red alert' for cold wave conditions on January 24 and an 'orange alert' from January 25 to 27 have been issued for Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh. This advisory comes amidst freezing temperatures and challenging weather conditions that continue to impact the region.
The IMD has also forecasted dense fog in Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana over the coming days, prompting an orange alert for very dense fog and cold wave conditions in Delhi on Wednesday and Thursday. The meteorological department has cautioned that the dense fog may significantly affect airports, highways, and railway routes in several states, including Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, north Rajasthan, and north Madhya Pradesh.
The potential for road traffic collisions due to difficult driving conditions and slower journey times has raised concerns. The advisory emphasizes the importance of taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of commuters during these challenging weather conditions.
Over the past 24 hours, minimum temperatures have ranged from 2-5 degrees Celsius in most parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi. Meanwhile, temperatures in the range of 6-10 degrees Celsius have been observed in various parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, north Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. The Hisar district of Haryana reported the lowest minimum temperature at 1.1 degrees Celsius.
Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions continue to prevail over many parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and north Rajasthan. While IMD Scientist Soma Sen predicts a slight rise in temperature by 1 degree Celsius in Delhi and North India, persistent foggy conditions are expected to persist, adding to the transportation challenges.
The impact on transportation has been evident, with the Indian Railways reporting delays of up to six hours for 30 trains arriving in Delhi due to foggy weather. Visibility levels at 5:30 am were alarmingly low, reaching zero meters in Varanasi, Agra, Gwalior, Jammu, Pathankot, and Chandigarh; 20 meters in Gaya; 50 meters in Prayagraj and Tezpur; 100 meters in Agartala; 200 meters in Amritsar; and 300 meters in Gorakhpur.
Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport experienced disruptions, with more than 150 flights delayed due to dense fog, exacerbated by Republic Day-related restrictions. The Palam Observatory near the airport reported visibility limited to only 50 meters.
The persistent dense fog and its impact on road, rail, and air traffic have posed a continuous challenge in North and Northeast India over the last fortnight. The disruptions have affected the daily commute and travel plans for residents and visitors alike.
Travellers are strongly advised to stay updated on weather conditions, exercise caution while commuting, and check with respective transport authorities for any delays or changes to travel schedules. Authorities are actively monitoring the situation and working diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of the public during this period of challenging weather conditions.
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