The northern region of India is currently experiencing a severe cold wave, marked by dense fog and plummeting temperatures. This weather phenomenon is not only impacting daily life but also causing disruptions in transportation and other services across multiple states.
The Onset of Harsh Winter Conditions
As the cold wave tightens its grip, states such as Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh are enveloped in dense fog. The combination of fog and icy winds has escalated the challenges faced by the residents. Furthermore, a thick layer of fog has been reported across 15 states including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan. Due to the fog, visibility in 22 cities has dropped to a range between zero to 200 meters, significantly affecting daily activities and transport.
Transportation Woes: Flights and Trains Delayed
The reduced visibility has led to multiple flight delays at Delhi Airport. Similarly, trains across North India are running behind schedule, with some experiencing delays of up to 10 hours. This has caused considerable inconvenience to passengers who are forced to endure long waits in the cold at railway stations. The North Western Railway has taken additional measures to ensure the safe operation of trains in these challenging conditions, including issuing guidelines for various departments and providing loco pilots with ‘Fog Safety Devices.’
Weather Updates Across Regions
Impact on Visibility
On a particular Thursday morning, visibility in various parts of the country was recorded between 25 to 500 meters. Specific cities like Bareilly, Lucknow, and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh reported visibility as low as 25 meters. In Delhi, the visibility at Safdarjung was around 500 meters, and at Palam, it was 700 meters. Rajasthan’s Bikaner and Jaisalmer and Bihar’s Gaya and Patna also faced low visibility conditions.
Cold Day Alerts and Temperature Drops
Several regions including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and parts of Rajasthan were issued cold day alerts. The minimum temperature in these areas has shown a significant drop. For instance, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 9.4 degrees Celsius on Thursday, with an expected range of 7 to 19 degrees Celsius.
The Extreme Cold in Jammu & Kashmir
The Meteorological Department reports that Jammu & Kashmir is experiencing some of the harshest winter conditions in India. In Srinagar, the temperature has plummeted to 4.8 degrees Celsius below zero, causing lakes and even drinking water to freeze. Similar conditions are reported in other areas like Kupwara, Anantnag, Kargil, and Ladakh.
Forecast for the Coming Days
The weather department anticipates no significant change in the minimum temperatures in East India over the next two days, followed by a possible increase of 2-3 degrees Celsius. In Central India, a rise of 2-3 degrees Celsius is expected over the next three days, with no major changes thereafter.
Coping with the Cold Wave
This severe weather event calls for heightened preparedness and safety measures. Residents are advised to keep warm, check for weather updates regularly, and plan their travel accordingly to avoid the risks associated with reduced visibility and delayed transportation services.
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