India Shivers Under Worst Cold Wave in Decades; Flight, Road, Rail Operations Paralyzed
Image Source: Internet
A severe cold wave has gripped much of northern India, with dense fog and plummeting temperatures disrupting air, road, and rail traffic across 10 states. The maximum temperature in Delhi plummeted to 16.9°C, the lowest this season, while the air quality index soared to 410, breaching the severe threshold. Satellite images show a massive fog bank stretching from Kashmir to West Bengal, affecting one of the world's most densely populated regions. Delhi airport has been severely impacted, with over 400 flights delayed and 129 cancelled in the past five days. The Airports Authority of India has issued a weather advisory, warning of reduced visibility due to fog and potential flight disruptions. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for real-time updates. The Union road transport ministry has urged drivers to exercise caution in foggy conditions, while authorities have deployed dedicated passenger facilitation teams to assist stranded travelers. A wave of delays hit New Delhi Railway Station, with several long-distance and premium services arriving hours behind schedule. Meanwhile, three people were killed and three injured in a train accident in West Bengal's Nadia district. The cold wave is attributed to a subtropical westerly jet stream, which has caused a significant drop in temperatures and dense fog. Authorities have issued red and orange alerts across several states, warning of severe disruptions to road, rail, and air traffic. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast cold day conditions to persist on Sunday, with maximum temperatures expected to remain between 16-18°C and minimum temperatures between 7-9°C. IMD has issued a red alert for Uttar Pradesh, warning of fog and severe cold day conditions until December 24. Residents are advised to take precautions during early morning hours, while authorities are urged to remain alert due to low visibility and potential disruptions to transportation services.
