Home / Environment / March Haze Grips UP: Rare Fog Descends on Uttar Pradesh
March Haze Grips UP: Rare Fog Descends on Uttar Pradesh
12 Mar
Summary
- Unusual March fog enveloped Uttar Pradesh cities, including Bareilly and Meerut.
- Hazy conditions were linked to increased moisture from western disturbances.
- Visibility dropped significantly across several districts, with Kanpur recording zero.
Dense haze, similar to fog, has enveloped parts of Uttar Pradesh, impacting cities like Bareilly, Meerut, Prayagraj, and Varanasi. This unusual March phenomenon has led to significantly reduced visibility across multiple districts. Kanpur experienced zero visibility, while Prayagraj saw visibility drop to 30 metres. Lucknow's Air Quality Index (AQI) reached a poor 208, with Meerut at 247 and Bareilly at 92.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributes these hazy conditions to an increase in moisture, influenced by a western disturbance affecting the western Himalayan region. Stable atmospheric layers and easterly winds have also contributed to moisture buildup, trapping dust particles. This event echoes similar occurrences, such as a dense fog spell in March 2008.
Temperatures in Lucknow remained high, with the maximum reaching 34.3°C, well above normal. Minimum temperatures were also elevated, recorded at 21.9°C, eight degrees above average. While temperatures are expected to rise further, a western disturbance predicted from March 14 may offer some respite over the weekend, potentially lowering maximum temperatures.
