Indore witnessed its most intense fog episode of the winter season on Sunday morning, as a thick blanket of dense fog enveloped the city, severely hampering visibility and daily activities. The early hours saw visibility plummet to a mere 200 metres, creating challenging conditions for commuters and disrupting normal life across the urban landscape.
Visibility Struggles and Travel Disruptions
Even by 8:30 am, the fog persisted stubbornly, with visibility improving only slightly to around 500 metres. The murky conditions lingered until nearly 10 am, casting a grey pall over the city throughout the morning hours. This persistent fog had significant consequences for transportation networks throughout Indore.
Road traffic moved at a cautious crawl during the early morning period, with motorists exercising extreme care due to the dangerously limited visibility. The aviation sector faced even greater challenges, as more than 16 flights experienced delays at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport. Passengers endured considerable inconvenience as restricted visibility grounded operations until conditions gradually improved later in the morning.
Record Low Temperatures Grip the City
The meteorological conditions brought more than just visibility issues, as temperatures plunged to unprecedented winter lows. The maximum daytime temperature dropped sharply to 21.8 degrees Celsius, marking the lowest day temperature recorded in Indore so far this winter season. Nighttime temperatures settled at 13.2 degrees Celsius, contributing to an overall chilling effect.
Weather experts have identified multiple factors behind this sudden temperature drop. Active western disturbances drawing cold air into central India, combined with recent snowfall in northern hill states, created perfect conditions for the chill to intensify. North-easterly winds blowing at speeds up to 17 kilometres per hour carried this cold air directly into the region, ensuring the cold persisted throughout daylight hours.
A Full Cold Day Experience
Sunday represented what meteorologists term a full cold day - the first such occurrence in 70 days of the current winter season. The morning began under heavy cloud cover that prevented even weak sunlight from breaking through effectively. This combination of factors kept the city chilled from dawn until dusk, creating distinctly wintry conditions that residents had not experienced during daytime hours this season.
The previous day, Saturday, had offered a preview of these conditions when temperatures dropped to 22 degrees Celsius from Friday's comparatively warmer 26.6 degrees Celsius. While December had seen nighttime temperatures as low as 4.1 degrees Celsius, daytime warmth had previously prevented the sensation of a truly cold day. Saturday marked the first instance this season when the cold became noticeable during daylight hours, setting the stage for Sunday's more intense conditions.
Historical Context and Weather Patterns
Prior to this recent cold spell, only November 16 had been recorded as a cold day this season, but even then, daytime temperatures remained above 25 degrees Celsius. The current conditions therefore represent a significant departure from the winter patterns observed thus far in Indore.
Meteorological officials have issued warnings that the effects of the western disturbance are likely to continue influencing weather patterns in the coming days. Cloudy skies are expected to persist until January 31, with similar foggy conditions potentially returning during early morning hours. Particularly concerning is the forecast for Republic Day, when maximum temperatures could drop further to around 20 degrees Celsius.
Precautionary Measures and Future Outlook
Authorities have urged residents to exercise caution during early morning and late night hours, as both cold temperatures and foggy conditions are expected to persist across the city. The combination of reduced visibility and lower temperatures creates potentially hazardous conditions for those traveling during these periods.
This weather event serves as a reminder of winter's capacity to disrupt normal life even in urban centers like Indore. As the city prepares for continued challenging conditions, residents are advised to stay informed about weather updates and take appropriate precautions when venturing out during affected periods.
