Dense Fog and Cold Wave Grip Uttar Pradesh, Disrupting Travel and Daily Life

Lucknow, December 19 (TNA) Uttar Pradesh is reeling under a severe cold wave, with biting cold compounded by thick fog that has intensified hardships for residents. On Friday, chilling northerly winds swept through Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kanpur, and districts bordering Uttarakhand.

Visibility dropped to zero in Agra, Bareilly, Kushinagar, and Gorakhpur during morning hours due to the dense fog. In Bahraich, it was recorded at 20 meters, while Aligarh and Farrukhabad saw 30 meters. Roads wore a deserted look, with vehicles crawling at a snail’s pace amid dew drops falling like rain.

The fog severely impacted transportation. Eight flights from Gorakhpur Airport and 14 from Lucknow operated with delays, while 9 in Varanasi and 4 in Lucknow were cancelled. At Kanpur Railway Station, 38 trains arrived 2-4 hours late, and 10 at Ayodhya station faced similar delays.

In a first for Kanpur, cow shelters fitted cattle with “cow-coats” to shield them from the cold, alongside bonfires lit day and night. The government is on high alert, urging people to avoid unnecessary outings. Highway speed limits have been capped at 60-80 kmph.

Schools have been shut until December 20 in Bareilly, Kanpur, Kasganj, Auraiya, and Jaunpur. Holidays declared up to Class 12 in Kanpur Dehat, Agra, Farrukhabad, and Sambhal. In Lucknow and 9 other districts, school timings shifted, with classes starting at 9 AM up to Class 12.

The weather department forecasts very dense fog in 34 districts on Saturday, including Lucknow, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, and Ghazipur. A severe cold alert remains for the next three days, with persistent dense fog.