Wed Dec 17 14:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Lucknow Gasps for Air as Toxic Smog and Dense Fog Envelop City

Lucknow, India – The capital city of Uttar Pradesh is battling a brutal combination of intense cold and hazardous air quality, creating near gas chamber-like conditions for its residents. Temperatures have plummeted to 10 degrees Celsius, while visibility has been reduced to a mere 10 meters due to dense fog.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Lucknow experienced a maximum temperature of around 23 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, with the night time low expected to hover around 10 degrees Celsius. The IMD has issued an Orange Alert for dense fog on Thursday, December 18th, forecasting a maximum temperature of 22 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 10 degrees Celsius.

Adding to the woes, pollution levels have reached alarming levels. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that Lucknow’s Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to a dangerous 426 on Wednesday evening, placing it in the “severe” category.

“Expect dense to very dense fog in Lucknow and surrounding districts for the next two days,” warned meteorologist Atul Kumar Singh. “Cold wave-like conditions will intensify the chill, and the low difference between minimum and maximum temperatures will make the cold feel severe even during the day.”

Meteorologists attribute the current weather patterns to a western disturbance active over northern Pakistan, affecting Uttar Pradesh. While eastern UP may experience slightly clearer skies, dense fog is expected to persist for the next four days, with Thursday predicted to be the worst.

The situation is equally grim in western UP and the Kanpur region. Visibility at Kanpur’s Chakeri Air Force Station was recorded at zero, while visibility in other parts of the city was limited to 40 meters. The daytime temperature was recorded as the lowest for December at 21.9 degrees Celsius. The weather department has also issued an Orange Alert for Kanpur for the next 72 hours.

Experts believe that the frequent western disturbances active since the beginning of December indicate a particularly harsh winter. Temperatures are expected to drop further after December 20th. Authorities are advising residents to exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel, and take extra care of their health.

Disclaimer: This information is based on general sources and Zee UP/UK does not claim or confirm its authenticity.

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