The extreme cold has covered all of Uttar Pradesh, lowering temperatures and worrying people in cities and the countryside. Bareilly was the coldest at 3.8C, and Meerut reached 4.1C. The wind and dense fog are making it dangerous to get around and are making life difficult for millions.
Cold wave grips Uttar Pradesh
Snow in the mountains nearby and a change in the weather coming from the west have pushed freezing air into the plains. The coldest times are early in the morning and at night, and people are wearing lots of clothes to protect themselves from the strong, cold wind. Sadly, two people in Chitrakoot have died because of the cold, showing how dangerous it is.
In several areas, the fog is so thick that you can only see 20 meters ahead. People driving say some roads look empty, and drivers are having a lot of trouble driving in almost complete whiteout conditions. Health workers and those providing help locally are telling people to check on their older neighbors and family members who are more vulnerable.
Transport disruptions: trains and flights delayed
Trains towards Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi and places around them are delayed, around 48 to 50 of them. Because of the poor visibility and the need to be careful with signals, the trains are going slower and it’s taking thousands of passengers much longer to complete their journeys.
Flights have been affected too, with over 10 planes delayed at the airports in Gorakhpur, Lucknow and Varanasi. Airport staff are following normal safety rules for when you can’t see very far. Passengers are being told to make sure their flights are still on schedule before they go to the airport.
School closures and local measures
Because of the extreme cold and the dangers of the fog, schools have been temporarily closed in a number of areas. Schools for kids in up to Year 8 will be closed in Noida until January 15th, in Jhansi until January 14th, and in Gorakhpur, Agra and Bijnor until January 13th. Ghaziabad has closed classes up to Year 5 until January 15th.
Meerut has said schools will stay closed until January 12th. This is being done at different times in different places because of the local weather and to limit how much school travel and outdoor activities happen. Officials say the school closures are to reduce how much time children spend in the cold and to prevent them from getting sick from it.
Government advisories and road safety push
Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister, wrote a letter to the state about accidents on the road caused by the fog. He said he was very sorry to hear about the recent deaths and asked drivers to be safe. He said they should not use their phones while driving and to stay at the speed limit.
The Chief Minister also strongly warned against driving after drinking and said everyone should always wear a helmet or a seatbelt. The police have increased their presence on major roads and are doing extra patrols to prevent accidents when visibility is low.
Meteorological explanation and short-term forecast
Atul Kumar Singh, a meteorologist in Lucknow, says a change in the weather over northern Pakistan is pushing strong winds from higher up into Uttar Pradesh. These winds are bringing the colder air, and the temperature might drop another 2 or 3 degrees in the next few days.
Although the mornings and evenings will be bitterly cold, the sun during the day might offer a little bit of warmth. People should expect to continue to have weather that is colder than usual in the short term and should pay attention to the official weather forecasts for any sudden changes or warnings.
To stay safe, wear several layers of clothing, don’t go out unless you have to in thick fog, and check on elderly people and children. If the public gets clear advice and communities look out for each other, the state can minimize the harm from the weather as the cold wave continues.
