Cold wave and foggy weather to hit North India; IMD issues alerts
A cold wave and dense fog will grip North India over the next two days, thanks to an alert issued in this regard by the Indian Meteorological Department. The IMD has issued warnings for Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and other parts of northern India as it said cold wave conditions would prevail for at least the next three days from December 23. Apart from that, dense fog and light rain will play havoc with the air quality and visibility in the region.
Weather Forecast for Delhi-NCR
It was a foggy December 23 morning in Delhi, which saw light rains in some areas. Meanwhile, the city’s chief weather observatory-Safdarjung Observatory-posted a minimum of 8.6 degrees Celsius in the national capital. Improving air quality index however has been seen-something that had stood at a 24-hour average of 409 at 4 pm yesterday and has now come down to 389 today.
According to IMD forecast, 23rd to 26th of this month are likely to face moderate to thick fog at some places in Delhi NCR. On 23 December the region will have cloudy conditions with light rain at one or two places during day while heavy haze and much of the city can engulf in smog during night/ evening hours and shallow fog is also likely to be formed. December 24 will be partly cloudy to clear with scattered or broken cloudiness, or light to moderate fog over most areas, or thick fog at times especially during the early morning hours over some isolated areas. Shallow fog conditions prevail in the evening.
December 25, a day of clear sky condition. Early in the morning, a mix is expected of moderate and thick fog. Wind will strengthen to 8-10 km/h by afternoon, and on 26 Dec, become less than 4 km/h at night. Skies will be partly cloudy with an occasional drizzle at night on 26 Dec, though the region will continue to have the grip of smog and shallow fog on 26 Dec. It may develop moderate fog at a few places.
Western Disturbance to Impact North India
IMD has also forecasted that a Western Disturbance would strike North India next week. Cyclonic circulation over Pakistan and its adjoining areas and induced low pressure area over north-western Rajasthan would bring light rains and snow in some areas of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Interacts with moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal to cause light to moderate falls with some snowfalls in the Western Himalayas.
The IMD issued orange and yellow alerts in many districts, wherein cold wave conditions and dense fog prevail. December 24 and 26: The conditions of a cold wave to extreme cold wave are going to prevail in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. Dense fog is going to persist at night and also during early morning hours throughout the region. Fog would make travel and all other day-to-day activities nightmares.
Places Worst Affected By Cold Wave and Dense Fog
Cold wave conditions have been prevailing across the lower hills and the plain areas of Himachal Pradesh since last week. Even in Punjab and Haryana, strong cold conditions are being witnessed and rural areas are the worst affected by it. Dense fog will prevail in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan during late-night or early-morning hours this week as forecast by IMD. Such conditions will lower visibility and make driving hazardous, especially on highways.
The other effects of this trend would trickle into sectors that fall under agriculture and transport. The fog itself would impact air and rail traffic, as well as bringing cold temperatures to northern states to allow a prolongation of harvests and other agricultural setbacks. Indeed, people should take all relevant precautions in areas threatened by these cold risks more so the elderly and the children because they are the vulnerable victims of a cold weather. Impact on Air Quality
Delhi’s air quality, a worry for the last two months, improved slightly today and moved from “hazardous” to “very poor.” Prevailing fog and smog are likely to keep the AQI in the higher range. Conditions like these often trap pollutants close to the ground, limiting their dispersion and making pollution levels higher.
Other than the shiver and the dew, continuity of smog over Delhi has been one other factor detracting from the quality of life. In winter months generally, quality of air degrades owing to compounding the adverse effects of low temperature, air stagnancy, and higher consumptions of fossil fuels for heating and cooking with enhanced emissions and air pollutants. IMD has requested all the residents of Delhi and its outskirts to avoid prolonged exposure in conditions of fog and have advised them to cut back all outdoor activities, especially by the population suffering from respiratory and cardiac diseases.
Pre-Cold Wave Preparations
The authorities have been placed on high alert owing to the persistence of the cold wave and foggy conditions in northern India. Governments of various areas have been instructing the public to stay indoors at night and in the early morning when the temperatures are at the lowest. Some schools adjusted their schedules so that their students would not be exposed during such periods. Transportation services keep monitoring the weather condition so that delays are not expected.
Farmers have been requested to protect crops from frost and extreme chill that is damaging sensitive crops. Weather forecast by IMD has brought forth the message of preparation for areas affected by severe cold waves and thick fog.
Conclusion
The northern states of India would experience an extended cold wave and dense fog until 26 December. IMD said when talking about extreme weather events testing them and affecting air quality, transportation, agriculture, and public health. It said severe conditions were likely in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The situation will be improving in the next few days but the cold wave and fog will likely continue to disrupt life in much of northern India.
Source: India Meteorological Department (IMD), 2024