The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a forecast predicting the continuation of dense to very dense fog and cold day to severe cold day conditions over North India for the next four days. Severe cold wave conditions are expected to persist over the plains of Northwest India during this period. The IMD’s weather forecast also includes predictions of light to moderate rainfall in some places over Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, Sikkim, and Northeast India on January 18. A rise in minimum temperatures by about 2°C is expected over Northwest India, with no significant change thereafter. Similarly, a rise in minimum temperatures by 2-4°C is likely over East India, and no significant change is anticipated elsewhere in the country during the next five days.
Severe cold wave conditions are expected to persist in Punjab and Haryana-Chandigarh on January 18-19, with cold wave conditions continuing in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh on January 20-21. Additionally, cold wave conditions are likely to prevail in Himachal Pradesh on January 18, over West Uttar Pradesh on January 20-21, and over North Rajasthan during January 19-21, 2024.
The IMD’s update on dense fog predictions includes very dense fog conditions likely to prevail in East Uttar Pradesh until January 19. Very dense fog conditions are also anticipated in Uttarakhand on January 18, with dense fog conditions expected in North Rajasthan during January 18-20, over North Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura during January 18-19.
Similar conditions are expected in Himachal Pradesh on January 18. Severe cold day conditions are likely to continue in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh on January 18-19, with cold day conditions in some parts on January 20-21. Severe cold day conditions are also expected to continue in some parts of West Uttar Pradesh on January 18, with cold day conditions prevailing in isolated pockets during January 19-21. In Northwest Madhya Pradesh, severe cold day conditions are expected on January 18-19, while cold day conditions are anticipated in isolated pockets of Bihar during January 17-21 and over Rajasthan on January 18.
The adverse weather conditions are impacting transportation, with train delays reported at the New Delhi Railway Station. As of January 18, 18 trains to Delhi from various parts of the country are running late due to dense fog conditions. Notable delays include the Jammu Tawi-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, delayed by 1 hour and 45 minutes, the Bangalore-Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express, delayed by one hour and 10 minutes, and the Bhubneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, delayed by three hours and forty-five minutes.
Flight delays and cancellations are also affecting travel plans, particularly at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, where passengers are experiencing disruptions due to the dense fog. Passengers have reported waiting for their scheduled flights, with some flights experiencing delays and a few cancellations due to fog in several parts of the country.
The challenging weather conditions have led to disruptions in both train and air travel, causing inconvenience for passengers and highlighting the need for caution and adjustments to travel plans during this period of severe cold wave and dense fog. Travelers are advised to stay informed about the latest weather updates and any potential impacts on transportation schedules.