Residents of Gurgaon and surrounding regions in Haryana experienced a marginal reprieve from the biting cold on Sunday, as temperatures recorded a slight uptick. However, this minor warmth is set to be short-lived, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a thick blanket of dense to very dense fog to shroud the state, particularly during the Christmas week, leading to hazardous travel conditions.
Temperature Rise Amidst Persistent Fog
On Sunday, Gurgaon's minimum temperature settled at 11.7 degrees Celsius, marking a significant increase of 5.3 degrees from the previous day. The maximum temperature also rose, reaching 15.7°C, which was 2.2 degrees higher. Despite this dry and slightly warmer spell, dense fog continued to disrupt early morning routines across the city and several other districts.
The IMD's forecast indicates that this fog is not lifting anytime soon. Christmas week is anticipated to be enveloped in thick fog, with large swathes of Haryana experiencing dense to very dense fog and cold-day conditions at isolated spots. Visibility remains a primary concern for authorities and commuters alike.
District-Wise Fog Forecast and Warnings
The weather department has provided a detailed outlook for the coming days. Dense fog is expected to persist at isolated locations on December 22. The situation is predicted to intensify significantly between December 23 and 27, with dense to very dense fog likely across most districts.
On Sunday, dense fog was reported in multiple areas including:
- Gurgaon
- Yamunanagar
- Karnal
- Jhajjar
- Faridabad
- Rohtak
- Sonipat
- Panipat
Cold-day-like conditions were also recorded in isolated parts of Gurgaon, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal, Jhajjar, Mewat, Palwal, Faridabad, Rohtak, Sonipat, and Panipat. For Monday, December 22, these cold-day conditions are likely to continue in districts such as Gurgaon, Faridabad, Rohtak, Sonipat, Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, and Yamunanagar.
Expanding Fog Cover and Travel Advisory
The fog cover is expected to expand further by December 23, affecting isolated locations in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Jind, and Bhiwani. From December 24 onwards, the intensity is forecast to increase, with dense to very dense fog likely at isolated places across most districts of Haryana, including the key National Capital Region (NCR) districts of Gurgaon and Faridabad.
An IMD official stated, "Dense to very dense fog conditions are likely to prevail at isolated places across Haryana over the next several days, particularly during late night and early morning hours. Cold-day conditions may continue at a few locations, and visibility is expected to remain poor along highways." The official strongly advised commuters to exercise extreme caution during fog-prone hours.
The IMD has predicted dry weather across Haryana for the next seven days, with no rainfall in sight. While minimum temperatures are not expected to change significantly over the next 48 hours, a drop of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius is anticipated across the state thereafter, potentially worsening the cold wave feel.
In light of the grim forecast, the IMD has urged all travelers, especially those using highways and expressways, to remain vigilant during early morning and late-night journeys. Reduced visibility poses serious risks during peak fog hours. The advisory follows widespread travel disruption in North India, where, despite moderate fog in Delhi, 97 flights were cancelled and over 400 were delayed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport due to low visibility at several other airports in the region.
