Uttar Pradesh Grapples with Fog and Pollution Amid Chilly Wave

Uttar Pradesh faces severe cold wave with dense fog causing visibility issues and train delays. Cities like Kanpur, Agra, and Moradabad report severe fog, affecting daily life and raising air quality concerns. Delhi's pollution woes continue, with residents frustrated over vehicular emissions. States are taking steps to address these challenges.

On Thursday, Uttar Pradesh awoke to a frosty morning under a thick cloak of fog, complicating life for its residents. In Kanpur, the cold snap resulted in significant train delays, leaving passengers waiting anxiously at the station. "I was supposed to head to Kota at 8 am, but due to delays, my train won't arrive until 11 am," one passenger lamented to ANI, shivering in the bitter weather.

In Moradabad, the populace urged authorities to implement countermeasures against the biting cold and creeping fog. "We awake to freezing temperatures and dense morning fog. Visibility has plummeted to just 100 meters," a resident voiced, highlighting the troubles faced by school children. Meanwhile, cities like Prayagraj and Gorakhpur remained blanketed in fog, as citizens huddled around fires for warmth. In Agra, the famous silhouette of the Taj Mahal vanished in the mist. "We were here yesterday and saw it clearly at 7 am. Today, it's engulfed in fog," said a local resident by the Yamuna Riverbank.

Similar conditions swept across the state earlier in the week, sparking discussion about air quality issues. In Lucknow, light fog suggested improved air clarity, contrasting with the reality in Meerut and Ayodhya where fog persisted. Bareilly showcased satisfactory air conditions, but Gorakhpur reported a moderate AQI of 104. Conversely, Noida suffered from poor air quality, with shocking AQI figures of 328 in Sector 125 and 347 in Sector 1. Meanwhile, Delhi continues battling perilous pollution levels, with townsfolk grumbling over vehicular emissions choking the streets. "Outsider vehicles should be restricted. Those from Haryana and UP flood Delhi, exacerbating the pollution," a distressed resident told ANI.

(With inputs from agencies.)