By Aarit Gupta
Cold weather has settled across large parts of eastern India over the past days and people are feeling it everywhere. Mornings have become harsh and stepping out early has not been easy. In many towns the air feels colder than usual, and fog has made things worse.
Jharkhand is one of the most affected states. Authorities announced the closure of schools in 13 districts of Jharkhand following sharp temperature drops. Officials said young children were finding it difficult to cope with the cold during early hours, and parents said the decision came as a relief because sending children to school in such weather had become a challenge.
In eastern Uttar Pradesh, the cold has been accompanied by thick fog. It is difficult to travel on roads due to low visibility during the morning hours, and several trains are running late as Prayagraj deals with cold mornings. Many residents are choosing to stay indoors and markets are opening later than usual.
Weather officials explained that cold winds from the Himalayan region are moving into the plains which is the reason for such weather. This has pushed temperatures down across the region. According to the weather department, these conditions are likely to stay for the next few days, especially during the night and early morning.
For people who work outdoors, the cold has been especially difficult. Street vendors, daily wage workers and homeless people are struggling to keep themselves and their families warm in such conditions. Local authorities and volunteer groups have started distributing blankets and warm clothing to those in need in certain areas.
With temperatures continuing to remain low, daily routines have been affected. Schools have shut, transport has slowed and people are adjusting to the cold as best as they can. The sudden drop in temperature has once again shown how strongly weather can affect everyday life.