Delhi, the heart of India, is currently under the grip of a bone-chilling cold wave, accompanied by dense fog, disrupting normal life and affecting various daily activities. The mercury has dipped to 6 degrees Celsius, compelling residents to bundle up against the harsh winter conditions. Lets delve into the details of this atmospheric phenomenon and its impact on the region.Thursday morning painted Delhi and its adjacent areas in a frosty hue as a thick layer of fog blanketed the landscape. The minimum temperature plummeted to 6 degrees Celsius, signalling the continuation of a severe cold wave in the national capital. The dense fog led to near-zero visibility on roads, causing disruptions in transportation and affecting the daily commute of the citys residents.The dense fog had immediate repercussions on transportation, with some trains experiencing delays due to low visibility at the New Delhi Railway Station. The reduced visibility on the roads posed challenges for commuters and prompted caution from authorities.As temperatures dropped, the citys homeless sought refuge in night shelters, highlighting the harsh conditions faced by those without proper shelter. The bitter cold wave has accentuated the need for facilities to accommodate vulnerable populations during winter.Delhi is not alone in experiencing the brunt of this cold wave. Entire North India, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Delhi-NCR, is grappling with plummeting temperatures. The cold conditions have prompted the Uttar Pradesh government to declare holidays for schools in various cities to ensure the safety of students.Meteorological predictionsThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) has foreseen a continued spell of dense to very dense fog over Delhi during the nights and early mornings of Thursday and Friday. The Regional Meteorological Department (RMC) anticipates mainly clear skies during the day but warns of persistent dense fog until December 29. The conducive conditions for fog formation are expected to prevail.The Extension of Fog layer (grey coloured part) can be seen from Punjab to East Uttar Pradesh across Haryana-Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh, extreme north Rajasthan & north Madhya Pradesh during 15 UTC (2030 IST) of 27 Dec to 00 UTC (0530 IST) of 28 Dec. pic.twitter.com/YksMF2MhIz— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) December 28, 2023While the cold wave persists, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. An active western disturbance is forecasted in the Himalayan region from December 30, likely triggering rainfall in the Northern and central plains around December 31 or January 1. This change in weather patterns offers potential relief from the ongoing harsh conditions.Schools altered timingsIn response to the severe cold wave, the Uttar Pradesh government has adjusted school timings in various cities. In Ghaziabad, schools for classes 1 to 8 will now operate from 10 am to 3 pm. Additionally, in Jalaun, schools for the same classes will remain closed until December 31. The state government has further declared a 15-day winter vacation from December 31, 2023, to January 14, 2024, recognising the intensity of the cold wave gripping North India.
