Dense fog blankets northern India including Qadian affecting daily life and Jalsa Salana

Qadian, India: Northern India is currently enveloped in a dense fog, significantly impacting regions including Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and particularly Qadian. This weather event, marked by extremely low visibility, has disrupted daily life and travel, posing challenges to residents and visitors alike.

In Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, dense to very dense fog conditions are expected to persist. This phenomenon also extends to Jammu-Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. Qadian, known for its religious significance, is experiencing a severe cold wave accompanied by dense fog, leading to reduced visibility and plummeting temperatures.

The dense fog has particularly affected the town of Qadian, where preparations are underway for the Jalsa Salana 2023, scheduled from December 29 to 31. This annual religious gathering, which attracts thousands from across the globe, faces challenges due to the current weather conditions in Qadian. Organizers are implementing measures to ensure the safety and comfort of attendees, including enhanced lighting and guidance for safe travel.

In addition to the fog, light to moderate rainfall is forecasted over Coastal Tamil Nadu from December 30 to January 1. A fresh Western Disturbance is also expected to affect Northwest India from December 29, potentially causing a wet spell over Northwest and adjoining Central India from December 30 to January 30.

The minimum temperatures across most parts of the country are expected to remain stable over the next 2-3 days, with no significant changes forecasted. Residents and travelers in the affected areas are advised to stay informed about the weather and take necessary precautions to ensure safety during this period of adverse weather conditions in Qadian.