The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange alert for Prayagraj, where the Kumbh Mela is underway. The alert is in effect for January 16 and 17 due to expected rain and fog conditions.
IMD Scientist Soma Sen Roy stated that the southeast region of Uttar Pradesh, including the Kumbh Mela area, may experience rain and fog. While the fog may not be dense, its impact is likely to be substantial.
Rainfall is expected to increase from January 18, with additional precipitation anticipated in the hill states. A third western disturbance (WD) is projected around January 21-22, which could lead to further rainfall over the plains.
Currently, a western disturbance is positioned over Pakistan, accompanied by an induced cyclonic circulation over South Haryana. This weather system has caused rainfall in several parts of north India. The western disturbance is moving eastward, potentially causing thunderstorms in hilly regions, rainfall in western Uttar Pradesh, and snowfall in hill states.
IMD has predicted a drop in temperatures by 2-3°C over the next few days, along with increased fog conditions in northwest India. Dense fog is expected in Punjab, Haryana, northern Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi on January 17 and 18, with moderate to dense fog prevailing in Delhi starting January 16. The department has issued a Yellow alert for dense fog in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh for January 16 and 17.
In addition to the northern states, heavy rainfall was reported in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, with 13 centimeters recorded on January 15. Rainfall is also expected in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and other parts of Tamil Nadu by January 18, prompting the issuance of a Yellow alert for these regions.
The IMD earlier predicted partly cloudy skies with light rain and dense to very dense fog in Prayagraj on January 16. A forecast shared on X mentioned the likelihood of fog with visibility ranging between 0-200 meters during late-night and early morning hours.
Meanwhile, thousands of devotees gathered at Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, on the fourth day of the Maha Kumbh. The event, lasting 45 days, has witnessed participation from over six crore pilgrims, including over 3.5 crore on Makar Sankranti, January 14.
In light of the large influx of pilgrims, the Prayagraj administration has set up an AI-based computerized lost and found center to assist attendees.
