As winter tightens its grip on North India, the region is currently experiencing bone-chilling cold wave conditions accompanied by dense fog. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the minimum temperature in Delhi plummeted to 3.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday, marking the lowest so far this winter. The harsh weather conditions have not only disrupted daily life but also impacted visibility, affecting movement in several areas.
You can’t visibly watch anything in Delhi:
A Persistent Duo Dense to very dense fog has enveloped the nights and early mornings across North India, causing a significant drop in visibility. The impact is particularly noticeable near the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, where visibility plummeted to 200 meters as of 8:30 am. The IMD forecasts that parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi will continue to grapple with foggy weather for the next three to four days.
Earning livelihood is tough:
you may be a winter person and think living in winters is not that tough we have heaters in houses, offices but have you ever think about the people that waking up early morning in search of livelihood and can earn enough money so that you can fill poor stomach in chilling nights. The people like rickshaw pullers, small shopkeepers, auto riders – it became so tough for such people to earn livelihood daily.
Seasonal occupations, predominantly in agriculture, become impractical during the winter months, leading to unemployment and income instability. Additionally, the lack of adequate infrastructure, such as proper housing and heating facilities, further exacerbates the difficulties faced by the impoverished population. Limited access to healthcare services adds another layer of vulnerability, as health issues become more prevalent in cold weather. Overall, the combination of economic, environmental, and social factors makes it particularly challenging for the poor to sustain a livelihood during the harsh winter conditions in North India
Understanding Fog Intensity:
The IMD classifies fog conditions based on visibility levels. Very dense fog occurs when visibility is between 0 and 50 meters, dense fog ranges between 51 and 200 meters, moderate fog spans from 201 to 500 meters, and shallow fog occurs when visibility is between 501 and 1,000 meters. The current foggy conditions in North India fall into the very dense to dense category, significantly impacting transportation and daily activities.
Cold Wave Intensifies:
In conjunction with the fog, North India is witnessing cold to severely cold wave conditions. Regions including Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and isolated parts of Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh are expected to experience these bone-chilling conditions on Saturday and Sunday. A cold day is defined as when the minimum temperature is less than or equal to 10 degrees Celsius, with the maximum temperature at least 4.5 notches below normal. A severe cold day occurs when the maximum temperature is at least 6.5 notches below normal.
Ground Frost and Reduced Visibility:
In addition to the cold wave and fog, parts of North India are also likely to witness ground frost conditions on Saturday. The visibility levels have reached alarming lows in various regions, with Amritsar, Lucknow, Varanasi, Tezpur, North Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Purina, Gaya, Diamond Harbors, and Hisar all recording significantly reduced visibility levels, according to the weather agency.
Looking Ahead:
Weather Forecast and Monsoon Update The IMD predicts that conditions for the cessation of Northeast Monsoon rains are likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, Mahe, and adjoining areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Rayalaseema, and South interior Karnataka around January 15. Additionally, a fresh Western disturbance is anticipated to affect the Western Himalayan region from Tuesday, bringing potential changes to the current weather patterns.
As North India grapples with the simultaneous challenges of an intense cold wave and dense fog, residents are urged to take necessary precautions. The weather conditions not only impact daily routines but also underscore the importance of staying informed about forecasts and updates from the IMD. As the region navigates through these winter challenges, attention will be closely monitored for any developments in the weather patterns in the coming days.
