North India is facing the brunt of extreme cold weather as the national capital registered its coldest morning on Sunday. With the temperature dipping to 3.4°C,
very dense fog continued in northern parts of India. The Indian metereological department (IMD) has predicted very dense fog, and less than 50 metres of visibility in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Rajasthan. The centre has imposed GRAP3 restrictions in NCR after The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR reported AQI above 450 in the region.
Low temp
IMD reported low temperatures, and intense fog in various parts of the country including Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, as well as Assam, Tripura, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Chandigarh.
Delhi recorded lowest temperature of the season for the second night in a row and IMD issued a red alert in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Rajasthan zero visibility. Nearly 20 trains and several flights to and from Delhi are delayed due to the prevalent weather conditions.
Ban on construction, plying of BSIII and BSIV vehicles
All structural construction and demolition work, transfer of raw materials, batching of plants, draonage work, piling, waterproofing, painting, road construction, piling activities, grinding activities, among orhers, have been banned.
The GRAP3 order issued Sunday also urged citizens to work from home, avoid using coal and wood for heating purposes, provide electric heating system for security personnel and avoid trips outside whenever possible.
Schools
The winter vacation for schools in Delhi, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh ends on Sunday while it comes to a close on Monday for Haryana. CAQM has advised schools to consider online mode of education for the primary classes and official orders are awaited.