North India Statesman
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Dense fog blanketed northern India on Thursday morning, disrupting life in the region. With all forms of travel including road transport, train and air traffic affected, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert in Uttar Pradesh and 15 other states as well.
Visibility was almost zero in many areas, due to which vehicles were moving very slowly on the roads. The worst form of bad weather was seen in Lucknow on Wednesday, where a cricket match had to be canceled due to dense fog.
Red alert issued in Uttar Pradesh; The entire area of 16 states is in the grip of smog.
The Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated a severe situation in most parts of the country. According to their update, “dense to very dense fog” is likely to prevail over the following areas:
- red alert zone : Entire Uttar Pradesh state.
- Northern/Eastern Region : Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Bihar
- North Eastern Region : Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur
Orange alert has been issued specifically for areas of Punjab and Haryana where visibility is likely to be less than 50 metres.
Cold wave and storm warning
Meanwhile, the northern part is battling fog; Other parts of the country are witnessing extreme temperature changes and heavy rains:
cold wave : Due to sharp drop in temperature, cold wave warning has been issued for Western Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
activity in the southern region : The Meteorological Department has predicted thunder and lightning in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Delhi’s double crisis: facing smog and poisonous air
Along with the weather emergency, the pollution emergency has also become serious in the capital. The air quality index (AQI) remains near the 400 level (severe) in most areas.
In an effort to deal with the situation, the administration has imposed strict GRAP-4 (Graded Response Action Plan) rules:
strict fuel rules : In an important step, petrol and diesel fuel will not be supplied to any vehicle at fuel stations without a valid PUC certificate.
visibility issues : Commuters in Delhi saw visibility drop below 100 meters during the morning rush hour, causing heavy traffic jams.
Important road safety rules for travelers
The government has encouraged citizens to be extremely cautious during dense fog: Drive slowly: Maintain adequate distance and drive slowly. Fog lights: Use fog lights and do not use high beams as these may reflect light, further reducing visibility.
Street sign : Familiarize yourself with the signs to postpone non-essential travel.
Avoid traveling long distances in the late evening and early morning. Stay updated: Be sure to check flight and train schedules before travelling, as delays are likely.
