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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued dense to very dense fog warnings for Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. Parts of
the Northeast are also predicted to witness fog until December 24, the IMD noted.
Additionally, isolated areas of Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh are predicted to encounter dense fog across the Indo-Gangetic plains.
Besides the fog, isolated areas in Bihar, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are predicted to experience chilly day conditions with daytime temperatures below average. These conditions are caused by limited solar warming and ongoing cold air masses over the region.
Delhi NCR: Yellow alert and severe air quality
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for the National Capital Region due to the persistent cold and thick fog. Delhi is expected to have a partly overcast sky, temperatures between 9 degrees Celsius and 21 degrees Celsius, with moderate to severe fog in the morning.
The national capital remains covered in a heavy blanket of fog, with Sarai Kale Khan recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 363. The AQI in Ghazipur was 402, which is considered "severe." Noida and Ghaziabad might experience foggy conditions, but Gurugram has not received a warning.
Read more: Delhi air quality remains 'very poor' with toxic smog disrupting flight, train services
Dense fog has already disrupted operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and several smaller airports, so travellers are urged to check flight statuses.
Fog safety advisories in Odisha
Authorities in several Odisha districts, including Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Koraput and Sambalpur, have issued advisories urging caution on highways and rural roads due to poor visibility from dense fog.
Drivers and commuters are advised to use fog lamps, keep safe distances, and slow down to avoid accidents.
Cold wave in central India
Overnight minimum temperatures have fluctuated across Central India, including regions of Madhya Pradesh, including Indore. Some places experienced a modest increase in nighttime temperatures due to cloud cover, but they remain in the chilly range, and dry conditions are predicted to last until December 25.
Early in the morning, areas like Gwalior and Sidhi reported zero visibility. Dense fog conditions persisted in places like Satna, Rewa, Singrauli, and Maihar later, according to the weather department, as per TOI.
Maharashtra under cold wave watch
Northern Maharashtra, including Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Nashik and its ghat areas, Ahilyanagar, Pune and its ghat regions, and Solapur, are under a cold wave watch, with nighttime lows in the single digits.
Dry weather is expected in the majority of areas, including Konkan, Central Maharashtra, Marathwada, and Vidarbha.
Mumbai and coastal locations are predicted to experience warmer weather with a gradual rise in temperatures and a minor easing of the winter cold over the following days, while interior regions experience extreme cold.
South India to see mild fog
There are no significant weather interruptions in the southern part, although Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and other inland metro areas are experiencing cold mornings with light mist or haze.
Isolated areas of northern interior Karnataka are predicted to experience cold wave to severe cold wave conditions on December 22. Cold wave conditions can continue till December 23.
