Dense fog enveloped Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh early on Monday, reducing visibility to a few metres. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for the stronghold of East Uttar Pradesh as it warned of dense fog and cold waves today, while western areas of the state are on yellow alert. The national capital is also on IMD yellow alert today.
In a post on X, the IMD said, “Dense to very dense fog is expected over parts of East Uttar Pradesh (till 23rd) and Punjab, Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh and North Madhya Pradesh (till 22nd) during night and morning hours.
On Sunday, chilly daytime conditions and fog marred the weather conditions in Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, while snowfall in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir marked the start of ‘Chillai-Kalan’ – the 40-day harshest winter season that will end on January 30. The sudden cold wave can be attributed to the Western Disturbance and the presence of the Subtropical Current over Northwest India.
The meteorological agency has predicted heavy rainfall, snowfall and blizzard conditions for Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh with reduced visibility of less than 400 metres. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand may brace for “scattered rainfall/snowfall” till December 24. The IMD has warned of cold wave conditions in Karnataka and Telangana on December 22 and 23.
Cold day conditions
“A cold day is very likely over isolated areas of Uttarakhand, Jharkhand on December 22; Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh on December 22 and 23,” the IMD said in its latest press release.
Today’s weather in Delhi
In the state capital, the minimum temperature is expected to settle between 8 to 10 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature is expected to be around 20 to 22 degrees Celsius, according to the IMD.
Visuals from Delhi’s ITO and UP’s Ayodhya show dense fog covering the region.
The Meteorological Department has predicted light fog on Monday.
Fog disrupts flight operations
A day earlier, dense fog disrupted flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport as more than 105 flights, including 55 arrivals and 52 departures, were cancelled. Notably, more than 450 flights were delayed due to low visibility conditions, PTI reported.
Delhi Airport issued an advisory for passengers at 7:00 AM, which said, “Delhi Airport is undergoing reduced visibility procedures.
According to Airport Authority of India officials, nearly 11 flights were also canceled at the Srinagar International Airport due to weather conditions.
