The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has raised serious concerns over severely reduced visibility across a large part of Uttar Pradesh. On Friday, the national weather agency issued critical Red and Orange alerts, forecasting episodes of 'very dense' fog in numerous districts, potentially disrupting daily life and travel.
Red Alert Districts Face Severe Visibility Crisis
In an official post on the social media platform X, the IMD sounded a Red alert for more than 25 districts, indicating the highest level of warning. The agency stated that very dense fog with visibility dropping to less than 50 meters is very likely in these areas. This severe advisory covers major cities and towns including the high-profile Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Raebareli, Varanasi, and Kanpur.
The complete list of districts under the Red alert encompasses: Ambedkar Nagar, Amethi, Ayodhya, Azamgarh, Bahraich, Barabanki, Bareilly, Deoria, Jaunpur, Kanpur, Kaushambi, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Mirzapur, Moradabad, Pratapgarh, Prayagraj, Raebareli, Rampur, Saharanpur, Sant Ravidas Nagar (Bhadohi), Shrawasti, Sultanpur, and Varanasi.
Orange Alert for Adjoining Regions
Beyond the Red alert zone, the IMD has also placed a slightly less severe but still significant Orange alert for a wider area. This alert warns of dense fog with visibility ranging between 50 to 200 meters. Residents and commuters in these regions must also exercise considerable caution.
The districts under the Orange alert include: Auraiya, Balrampur, Basti, Bijnor, Chandauli, Etawah, Fatehpur, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Hardoi, Jalaun, Kannauj, Lakhimpur Kheri, Lucknow, Mau, Muzaffarnagar, Pilibhit, Sant Kabir Nagar, Siddharth Nagar, Sitapur, and Unnao. Notably, the state capital, Lucknow, falls under this Orange alert category.
Implications and Necessary Precautions
Such widespread and dense fog conditions pose significant risks to public safety. Road, rail, and air traffic are expected to face major delays and disruptions. The IMD's alerts are crucial for disaster management authorities, transportation departments, and the general public to take pre-emptive action.
Travelers are advised to check their flight and train schedules before leaving home. Drivers should use fog lights, reduce speed, and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. Pedestrians need to wear visible clothing and be extra cautious while crossing roads. The alerts highlight the intense winter weather patterns currently affecting North India, with cold wave conditions often accompanying such fog episodes.
The timely warnings from the IMD, issued on Friday, serve as an essential tool for minimizing accidents and ensuring public awareness during this period of challenging weather across Uttar Pradesh.
