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Weather conditions across India have worsened due to an active western disturbance. Heavy snowfall has covered Himalayan regions, while dense fog and cold wave conditions disrupted daily life in the plains. Visibility dropped to near zero in several districts, affecting road, rail, and air traffic.
Western Disturbance Triggers Cold Wave and Travel Disruptions
New Delhi: Due to the activity of a Western Disturbance, the weather has suddenly changed across a large part of the country. Snowfall and rain have begun in the Himalayan regions from the west to the northeast. Heavy snowfall has been recorded on the high peaks of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, leading to a sharp drop in temperature. Meanwhile, dense fog and cold waves are severely affecting daily life in the plains.
Dense to very dense fog blanketed more than 30 districts of the country, including Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday morning. Visibility was reduced to zero to 50 meters in many places. Zero visibility was recorded in Prayagraj, Kushinagar, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Aligarh, and Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, as well as in Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir and Amritsar and Jalandhar in Punjab. This directly impacted road, rail, and air traffic. Several trains ran hours late, while some flights were diverted or canceled.
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The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for fog in Delhi-NCR. Partly cloudy skies are expected in the capital on Sunday. On Saturday, Delhi's maximum temperature was 22.3 degrees Celsius, which was 1.6 degrees above normal, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 7.8 degrees. According to the Meteorological Department, there is little chance of relief from the cold and fog for now.
A warning of dense to very dense fog during the morning and night has been issued for Himachal Pradesh until December 30 and for Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh until December 31. Additionally, light rain and snowfall are expected in Himachal Pradesh between December 30 and January 2, which could further intensify the cold.
Due to the drop in temperature and snowfall in the mountains, nights in the Kashmir Valley have become extremely cold again. The minimum temperature has dropped below freezing in many areas. Sonamarg was the coldest place, recording a minimum temperature of minus 5.8 degrees Celsius, while Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.6 degrees. According to weather experts, Kashmir may experience another spell of snowfall around the New Year.
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Along with the cold and fog, pollution has also increased people's difficulties. Air quality in Delhi-NCR has reached the very poor to severe category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, Noida recorded an AQI of 409 and Ghaziabad 404, both falling in the severe category. Delhi's AQI was 385 and Greater Noida's 395. High levels of PM 2.5 and, in some areas, PM 10 were found in the air.
Due to dense fog and bad weather, IndiGo Airlines canceled 57 flights. Thirteen flights have also been canceled for Sunday. Several flights were delayed, and some aircraft had to be diverted to Delhi and Jaipur. The airline has advised passengers to check their flight status before leaving home.
Overall, the country's hilly and plains regions continue to be affected by adverse weather conditions, and the cold, fog, and rain in the coming days may further increase the challenges for people.
