The industrial city of Ludhiana was enveloped in a thick blanket of fog on Thursday, leading to severely reduced visibility and prompting the meteorological department to issue a high-level red alert for the district. The dense conditions significantly impacted daily life and travel, with residents reporting difficulties in commuting.
IMD Issues Severe Weather Warnings
In response to the hazardous conditions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) sounded a red alert for Ludhiana on Thursday, warning of very dense fog. This alert serves as a directive for concerned departments to take necessary precautions. For Friday, the department has downgraded the warning to an orange alert, predicting very dense fog at a few places in the region.
Visibility Plummets, Temperatures Dip
The fog's intensity was starkly evident in the visibility readings. At 8:30 AM on Thursday, visibility in Ludhiana was recorded at a mere 50 meters. This low visibility persisted until at least 11:30 AM. While conditions improved slightly in the afternoon with visibility reaching 1,000 meters at 2:30 PM and 5:30 PM, mist continued to hang in the city skies.
The persistent fog and mist blocked the sun, directly affecting the day's temperature. The maximum temperature settled at 16.8 degrees Celsius, which is 4.2 degrees below normal and a significant 6.3 degrees lower than Wednesday's reading. The night temperature, however, was recorded at 9.8 degrees Celsius, which is 3.3 degrees above normal but a degree less than the previous night.
Residents Face Commuting Challenges
The sudden foggy spell caused considerable inconvenience to Ludhiana's residents. Manoj Kumar, a local, shared his experience of having to drive with extreme caution for his morning work commitment. "The low visibility made it very difficult to see anything at a distance," he said, adding that the absence of sunlight throughout the day made the air feel particularly chilly.
Weather Outlook for Coming Days
According to the IMD's forecast for the next four days, Ludhiana can expect a partly cloudy sky. A gradual rise in temperatures is anticipated. The department suggests the day temperature may climb to 23 degrees Celsius by Tuesday, while the night temperature might increase to 13 degrees by Monday.
