New Delhi [India]: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange alert for Prayagraj today and tomorrow, where the Kumbh Mela is underway. IMD Scientist Soma Sen Roy stated there is a likelihood of rain and fog conditions in the area on Thursday and Friday.
“There is a possibility of rain and fog conditions today in southeast UP, where the Kumbh Mela is currently going on. Even if the fog is not too dense, its impact will be high, and because of this, we have issued an Orange alert for today and tomorrow in this area,” she said.
Rainfall is expected to increase in the hill states starting January 18, with a third Western Disturbance (WD) anticipated between January 21-22. Soma Sen Roy added, “There is a possibility of rain over plains.”
She explained that a Western Disturbance currently located over Pakistan, along with an induced cyclonic circulation over South Haryana, has caused rainfall in several parts of North India. “This WD is moving eastwards, leading to potential thunderstorm activity in hilly areas and West UP, with snowfall likely in hill states today,” she said.
Another WD is expected on January 18-19, typically causing a rise in temperatures beforehand, followed by a drop of 2-3°C afterward. Dense fog conditions are expected to intensify in northwest India, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, North UP, and Delhi on January 17-18.
IMD has issued a Yellow alert for dense fog in Punjab, Haryana, and West UP for today and tomorrow. Heavy rainfall of 13 cm was recorded in Tirunelveli yesterday, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are also expected to experience heavy rainfall today. Tamil Nadu is forecasted to receive moderate to heavy rainfall by January 18, for which a Yellow alert has been issued.
Earlier, IMD predicted partly cloudy skies with light rain and dense to very dense fog for Prayagraj on Thursday, January 16. The department reported that fog visibility could drop to as low as 00-200 meters during late night and morning hours.
Meanwhile, thousands of devotees gathered at Triveni Sangam, the sacred confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the ‘mystical’ Saraswati, to take a holy dip on Thursday morning, the fourth day of the 45-day-long Maha Kumbh.
Over 6 crore devotees have participated in this massive religious congregation so far, including more than 3.5 crore on Makar Sankranti, January 14. In response to the enormous influx of pilgrims, the Prayagraj administration has set up an AI-based computerized lost and found center to assist devotees.