N-W India to witness dense fog around New Year’s eve: IMD
NEW DELHI: Along with “cold wave” to “severe cold wave” over northwest India, IMD predicted dense to very dense fog with visibility under 50 metres in some parts of the region on December 30 and 31 and January 1.
IMD in its impact-based bulletin released on Monday said dense to very dense fog is likely over Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, northwest Uttar Pradesh on December 30, 31 and January 1.
“In Delhi, we are expecting moderate to dense fog so visibility may be under 200 metres in some parts of the Capital. The Western Disturbance which was affecting the Western Himalayas has just passed so there is moisture in the air and wind speed is also likely to reduce. It is going to be very cold also, leading to the development of fog,” explained Kuldeep Shrivastava, head, regional weather forecasting centre. Ground frost is also likely over some parts of north Rajasthan, according to IMD.
“Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are likely in isolated pockets over Punjab, Haryana, UP and north Rajasthan.Ground frost and dense fog is likely in isolated pockets in the region,” the IMD added.
IMD in its impact based warning said exposure to dense fog is associated with respiratory complications particularly for people with asthma, bronchitis and other lung conditions.
It can increase episodes of wheezing and coughing as dense fog also has high particulate pollution. Dense fog can disrupt road traffic, railway and flight schedules, the Met department has cautioned. A cold wave occurs in plains when the minimum temperature is 10 degrees Celsius or below and/or is 4.5 notches lesser than the season’s normal for two consecutive days. Cold wave is also declared when the minimum temperature is less than 4 degrees Celsius in the plains.
On Sunday last, the Safdarjung Observatory, which provides representative data for the city, recorded a minimum of 3.4 degrees Celsius, the lowest this season so far.