Severe Cold and Fog Disrupt Life in Northern India

Impact of Cold Weather and Fog

The cold wave in Northern India is intensifying, causing significant discomfort among residents. The dense fog has further complicated matters, leading to numerous accidents on highways. Visibility is severely reduced in the mornings, prompting many to limit their travel. While Delhi grapples with smog, residents in Uttar Pradesh are facing various challenges due to the weather.

In Uttar Pradesh, the combination of thick fog and plummeting temperatures has disrupted daily life, with visibility dropping drastically. Iconic sites like the Taj Mahal in Agra have become obscured by fog, disappointing visitors. A local resident, Ramesh Kumar, expressed frustration, stating that the Taj Mahal was invisible due to the fog, which is unusual for this time of year. Another visitor, Manoj, noted that while visibility was poor in the morning, the monument gradually became visible as the fog lifted later in the day.

In Ayodhya, the number of pilgrims visiting temples has decreased due to the adverse weather conditions. A temple staff member reported a noticeable drop in visitors compared to typical days.

Abhishek Gupta, a pilgrim, suggested that bonfires should be lit at regular intervals along the roads to provide some warmth. Local shopkeeper Deepak Chaurasia mentioned that the recent cold snap has negatively impacted both daily business and the number of visitors.

The weather has also disrupted life in the state capital, Lucknow, where several flights from the airport have been delayed, and road traffic has slowed significantly.

Many individuals reported visibility dropping to less than 100 meters, making it difficult for vehicles to exceed speeds of 30 kilometers per hour. In the Kaushambi district near Prayagraj, traffic on local roads and highways has also slowed due to fog, with vehicles moving at a crawl. Vinod Kumar from Bareilly noted that poor visibility has created significant challenges for travelers.

In Prayagraj and Varanasi, residents were seen lighting bonfires in various locations. Early morning sanitation workers were also gathering around bonfires to keep warm. Manoj, a sanitation worker in Varanasi, mentioned that they rely on bonfires to continue their work. Another worker, Sushil Kumar, stated that he has started wearing extra layers to combat the cold.

Sonu, an e-rickshaw driver in Prayagraj, reported that visibility was so low in the morning that he could barely see vehicles ahead of him. He had to drive very slowly with his parking lights on. Abhishek Mishra, a local resident out for a morning walk near the Yamuna Bridge, noted that while the fog reduced visibility, there was also a pleasant feeling once the weather improved.

Another resident, Alpika, remarked that the cold was significantly harsher than usual, possibly linked to climate change. In Etawah, residents reported that fog has affected both office-goers and school children. Santosh Verma suggested that adjusting office and school timings could help people cope with the situation.

The fog has also impacted road safety, with officials reporting five major accidents across the state, resulting in 25 fatalities and over a hundred injuries. These incidents occurred in districts including Mathura, Basti, Barabanki, Meerut, and Unnao, with the highest number of deaths occurring in a multi-vehicle collision on the Yamuna Expressway in Mathura.

Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) indicated that dense to very dense fog is expected to persist across large parts of Uttar Pradesh, warning that visibility may remain low until Wednesday morning.