Weather Updates: Dense fog hits flights, delays trains; schools to remain shut this week

In response to the severe cold weather conditions, authorities in Noida and Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh have ordered the closure of schools for students up to Class 8 until January 6.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), which had forecasted moderate fog for Thursday, reported the prevalence of a dense layer of fog across various regions, including Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Tripura. Additionally, the Jammu division experienced moderate fog amidst the prevailing cold wave.

The chilling weather disrupted flight operations at Delhi airport, causing delays due to low visibility amid foggy conditions. As of 5:30 AM on Thursday, January 4, visibility in different parts of India ranged between 25 and 500 meters. Specific visibility measurements included Bareilly-25, Lucknow-25, Prayagraj-50, Varanasi-50, and Gorakhpur-200 in Uttar Pradesh.

Moradabad continues to grapple with dense fog, persisting alongside the ongoing cold wave conditions that have been affecting most parts of the country for several days.

In response to the severe cold weather conditions, authorities in Noida and Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh have ordered the closure of schools for students up to Class 8 until January 6.

Looking ahead, the weather department predicts that east India will experience no significant change in minimum temperatures over the next two days, followed by a subsequent rise of 2-3 degrees Celsius. In Central India, minimum temperatures are anticipated to increase by 2-3 degrees Celsius over the next three days, with no significant change thereafter.

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Severe cold conditions have taken a firm grip on northern India, ushering in temperatures plummeting below -5°C (23°F) in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The national capital, Delhi, witnessed colder temperatures throughout the week, with the maximum temperature settling at 15.7 degrees Celsius, four notches below the normal range, according to the weather department. While it is currently the coldest time of the year, Kuldeep Srivastava, head of the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, noted that this year is relatively warmer compared to the previous one.

The Indian Railways reported delays in 26 Delhi-bound trains on Wednesday, ranging from one to six hours due to the persistent fog.

Notably, December 2023 marked the warmest month in six years for the national capital, with the IMD reporting no 'cold wave days' throughout the month.