As winter tightens its grip over northern India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a significant fog alert, predicting widespread dense to very dense fog across nine states and union territories over the coming days. Residents are advised to exercise extreme caution while traveling.
Widespread Fog Alert Across Northern States
In a series of posts on social media platform X on Friday, December 19, the national weather forecasting agency detailed the extensive fog cover. Dense to very dense fog is very likely at isolated places over Bihar, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand until the morning hours of December 20.
The IMD provided a further breakdown, indicating that the persistent fog conditions will vary in duration across regions:
- Punjab: Until the morning of December 20.
- Uttarakhand, Haryana, Chandigarh, West Uttar Pradesh, North Madhya Pradesh & Bihar: Until December 21.
- East Uttar Pradesh: Until December 22.
Most notably, the agency warned that isolated places in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh may experience dense fog even on December 24 and 25, potentially affecting Christmas Eve and Christmas Day travel plans.
Delhi-NCR Weather and Air Quality Update
The national capital region is bracing for challenging conditions. For Thursday, December 20, the IMD forecasts a partly cloudy sky with dense fog at many places and very dense fog at isolated places during the morning hours. Mist or shallow fog is likely to persist during the night.
Temperature-wise, Delhi is expected to see maximums between 21°C to 23°C and minimums ranging from 7°C to 9°C, which are near normal for this time of year. Winds will be light, predominantly from the northwest.
Adding to the woes, Delhi's air quality remains a serious concern. As of 7 pm on Friday, December 19, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 367, firmly in the 'very poor' category. This combination of dense fog and polluted smog significantly reduces visibility and poses health risks.
Rainfall, Snowfall Alerts and Safety Advisory
While the plains grapple with fog, the Western Himalayan region is set for precipitation. The IMD has forecast isolated rainfall or snowfall over the Western Himalayas for the next five days. Specifically, heavy rainfall or snowfall is expected at isolated places over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad on December 21. Isolated rainfall is also likely over Punjab from December 20 to 22.
In light of the severe weather conditions, the IMD has strongly advised residents in the affected states to prioritize safety. The key recommendations are to drive very carefully, strictly follow all traffic and weather advisories, and stay updated on the latest forecasts. The fog alert coincides with warnings from Delhi airport about potential delays under CAT III conditions, highlighting major travel disruptions.
