2 min readLucknowUpdated: Jan 17, 2026 01:49 PM IST
The India Meteorological Department’s MeT centre in Lucknow Friday also issued an ‘orange alert’ for ‘very dense fog’ for over 50 districts for the next three days.
The state’s average temperature dropped to 5.5°C on Thursday, with districts like Hardoi recording a minimum of 3°C, while Lucknow experienced its coldest night this winter at 5.5°C on the night between Wednesday and Thursday.
The India Meteorological Department’s MeT centre in Lucknow on Saturday issued a ‘red alert’ for six districts, warning of zero visibility following very dense fog condition. These districts include Kanpur, Kanpur Dehat, Ghaziabad, Saharanpur, Bareilly and Gorakhpur.
On Friday, an ‘orange alert’ was issued for ‘very dense fog’ for over 50 districts for the next three days. A ‘cold day’ warning has also been issued for 38 districts.
Orange alert has been issued for districts including:
-Varanasi, Sant Ravi Das Nagar, Jaunpur, Azamgarh, Gorakhpur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Maharajganj regions in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
-Farrukhabad, Kannauj, Kanpur Dehat, Kanpur Nagar, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Amethi, Sultanpur, and Ambedkar Nagar districts in Central Uttar Pradesh.
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-Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Mathura, Hathras, Kasganj, Etah, Agra, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Etawah, Auraiya and surrounding areas in Western Uttar Pradesh.
As per the MeT department, the fog is likely to intensify in both area and density over the next two days and is expected to persist until the morning of January 19.
‘Cold Day’ warning has been issued for:
-Western UP districts of Saharanpur, Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, Meerut, Bijnor, Amroha, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, Badaun, Sambhal.
-Parts of the Terai belt including Shravasti, Baraich, Lakhimpur Kheri as well as Sitapur.
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By January 19, experts said, cold day conditions and extreme fog is expected to shift towards eastern UP districts of Varanasi, Jaunpur, Azamgarh, Gorakhpur, Gonda, Shravasti, Balrampur, Sidharthanagar, Maharajganj, Basti and Kushinagar Deoria.
Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow. With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development.
Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India. She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world's most populous sub-national entity.
Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling. By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. ... Read More
