A severe cold wave has tightened its grip on Uttar Pradesh, leading the state government to take immediate action for public safety. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered the closure of all schools up to Class 12 across all educational boards, including CBSE, ICSE, and the UP Board, until January 1, 2026.
IMD Forecast: Intense Fog and Chilly Days Ahead
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the fog cover is likely to be intense over East, West, and Central Uttar Pradesh in the coming days. The weather office in Lucknow confirmed that the Terai region will continue to experience thick fog and zero visibility during night hours until a prevailing western disturbance subsides.
Senior IMD scientist Atul Kumar Singh provided detailed insights, stating, "Cold day conditions will continue for the next two days due to the western disturbance. While minimum temperatures across UP districts have remained normal—between 7°C and 12°C—the maximum temperature has been significantly below normal." He attributed this to the absence of direct sunlight, leading to cold conditions persisting throughout the day.
Singh added that while Lucknow city remained clear on December 29, the fog cover was expected to intensify. Districts in West and Central UP have been grappling with intense fog for several days, a condition likely to persist. Zero visibility due to dense fog was reported in major cities including Kanpur, Saharanpur, and Agra.
Temperature Dip and Government Response
Data from the Meteorological Department highlights the severity of the chill. On December 28, the Lucknow (Airport) Observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 18.0°C, which is 3.1°C below the seasonal normal. Cities like Varanasi and Kanpur witnessed a drastic plunge, with maximum temperatures falling to 13.5°C and 14.3°C respectively on Sunday—marking a deviation of 9.2°C and 8.5°C below normal.
In response to the harsh conditions, Chief Minister Adityanath has issued strict directives to top administrative officials. He has instructed them to remain on the ground to personally assess the situation and ensure adequate arrangements are made for the public.
The CM's orders include mandatory provisions for blankets and bonfires at all public places across every district. Special attention has been directed towards night shelters. Adityanath mandated that no person should be found sleeping in the open during this freezing spell and instructed officials to ensure all necessary facilities—including bedding, blankets, and cleanliness—are provided at these shelters.
Hope for Relief in the New Year
There is a silver lining on the horizon, according to weather scientists. The IMD predicts that the cold conditions along with foggy nights are likely to decrease starting from the first day of the new year, January 1. However, the relief may be accompanied by light rain in some places across West UP due to the influence of the western disturbance.
The state administration remains on high alert, balancing immediate relief measures with preparedness for the changing weather pattern as Uttar Pradesh navigates through this intense winter spell.
