Uttar Pradesh is currently experiencing an intense cold wave and dense fog, which have disrupted daily life across the state. In many regions, the sunlight has been ineffective, leading to a significant drop in daytime temperatures. The severe cold and fog have created hazardous conditions, forcing local authorities to close schools in several districts. In response to the extreme weather, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘Red’ and ‘Orange’ alert for the next 48 to 72 hours, warning of dense fog in 35 districts across the state.
Impact of Severe Cold and Zero Visibility
The continuing cold wave and near-zero visibility have raised serious concerns regarding public safety, particularly for children. District authorities in several cities have decided to close schools as a precautionary measure. In Bareilly, all schools from classes 1 to 8 have been closed until December 20 due to the intense cold. Kanpur has also announced school closures for the same period, while in Jaunpur and Gonda, schools will remain closed until December 21.
However, schools in Varanasi and Lucknow have not been completely closed. Instead, changes in school timings have been implemented. In Varanasi, schools will now operate from 10 AM to 3 PM, while in Lucknow, classes will start only after 9 AM. Other districts such as Rampur, Bijnor, Kasganj, and Auraiya have also adjusted school timings in response to the severe weather conditions.
IMD Issues ‘Red Alert’ for Dense Fog
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Lucknow has issued a ‘Red Alert’ for extremely dense fog in more than 35 districts of Uttar Pradesh. According to meteorologists, the dense fog is being caused by easterly winds from around 7,000 feet above the surface combined with high humidity. Cities like Gorakhpur, Bareilly, Agra, and Lucknow are experiencing visibility as low as 0 to 50 meters, making travel extremely hazardous. The maximum temperature in these regions has dropped by 5 to 8 degrees Celsius over the past two days. In Gorakhpur, temperatures have fallen below those of Shimla, resulting in an increased chill factor.
Government and Administration Advisory
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed authorities to ensure safety measures are in place, particularly on the roads, and to maintain shelters for the homeless. Speed limits on expressways have already been reduced as a precaution. The weather department has advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel during the dense fog and to use fog lights while driving, keeping speed low. Special care should be taken to protect children and the elderly from the cold. According to forecasts, relief from the cold is unlikely in the coming days, as westerly winds could further intensify the chill.
Sub-zero Temperatures in 10 Cities
On Thursday, temperatures in 10 cities across Uttar Pradesh dropped below 10°C. The cold was most severe in Bulandshahr, where the mercury plummeted to 7.0°C during the night. According to the weather department, other cities such as Lakhimpur Kheri recorded 8.0°C, Barabanki 8.5°C, Ayodhya 9.0°C, Gorakhpur 9.2°C, Hardoi 9.5°C, Etawah 9.6°C, Sultanpur 9.6°C, Azamgarh 9.6°C, and Jhansi 9.8°C. Muzzafarnagar, Churk, Basti, and Agra recorded the minimum temperature at exactly 10.0°C. The lowest daytime temperature was recorded at Varanasi Airport at 13.8°C, which is 9.9°C below the normal temperature for this time of year.
Zero Visibility and Traffic Disruptions
The past 24 hours have seen extremely dense fog across the state, resulting in zero visibility in some areas. Traffic was severely affected, with visibility recorded at zero meters at six locations, causing major disruptions. Areas including Agra Airforce, Bareilly Airforce, Kushinagar Airport, Prayagraj Airforce, Gorakhpur Airforce, and Kanpur Airforce reported zero visibility. Other cities with low visibility include Ballia (10 meters), Bahraich (20 meters), Fatehgarh and Hardoi (30 meters), and Aligarh (40 meters). In cities such as Moradabad, Basti, Azamgarh, Fursatganj, Ayodhya, and Varanasi, visibility was recorded at 50 meters.
Continued Cold Wave Expected in Uttar Pradesh
As Uttar Pradesh continues to battle the cold wave and dense fog, the situation remains tense. The government and local authorities have been taking necessary precautions to protect residents, especially children and the elderly, from the extreme weather conditions. With temperatures continuing to plummet and the fog showing no signs of clearing, public safety measures are being ramped up across the state. While the weather department has warned that there will be little relief in the coming days, efforts are being made to mitigate the impact of the severe weather.
the ongoing cold wave and dense fog in Uttar Pradesh are severely affecting daily life. The closure of schools and disruptions in transportation due to low visibility have created a challenging environment for residents. The government and weather authorities are urging the public to take precautions, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay safe during this extreme weather period.
