Parts of Andhra Pradesh are experiencing a noticeable shift in weather patterns, with a marginal rise in night-time temperatures coupled with persistent early morning fog. This combination is creating unique challenges, particularly in coastal regions and isolated tribal areas, where visibility has dropped sharply, affecting daily routines and road safety.
Temperature Trends and Foggy Mornings
Over the past few days, minimum temperatures have risen by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius in several parts of the state. On Saturday, specific readings highlighted this trend. Arogyavaram in Annamayya district recorded a low of 16.5°C, while Kalingapatnam in Srikakulam district saw 17.7°C. Most other regions reported minimums hovering between 19 and 22 degrees Celsius.
However, the relatively warmer nights are accompanied by dense fog. Areas like Chintapalle in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district have been recording minimums above 10°C but are also experiencing dense to very dense fog at isolated locations. This foggy phenomenon is not limited to high altitudes this season.
Impact on Daily Life and Transport
The fog has significantly reduced visibility, bringing parts of ASR district to a standstill. Visibility has dropped to as low as 100 meters in some places. Ch Suresh, a resident of Paderu in ASR district, described the scene, noting that daily life has been severely impacted. People are choosing to stay indoors, and local markets and businesses are delaying their opening until after 10 am.
On the roads, the situation is hazardous. Motorists across north Andhra Pradesh and ASR district are forced to drive slowly, use low-beam and fog lights, and maintain a safe distance to avoid accidents and pile-ups. Despite the overall dry weather, the low visibility in the mornings remains a major concern for commuters.
Weather Experts' View and Forecast
Weather experts point out that dense fog in parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh (CAP) is a notable occurrence after many years. Typically, such foggy conditions are confined to the high altitudes of ASR and Parvathipuram Manyam districts between December and the end of January.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a forecast for the coming days. Foggy and misty conditions are likely at isolated pockets over CAP and Rayalaseema until January 7. The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with shallow fog or mist in the mornings. Maximum and minimum temperatures are predicted to remain around 30°C and 22°C, respectively, for the next four days.
