NASA satellite captures thick fog over Ganges Delta amid January 2026 cold wave
Dense winter fog covered the Ganges Delta and large parts of India and Bangladesh in early January 2026. NASA satellite images showed thick fog and cloud bands forming due to cold temperatures and high moisture.
New Delhi: In early January 2026, a thick cover of winter fog was visible over much of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. It covered areas north of India to Bangladesh. The cold wave caused poor visibility, cold weather, and hard conditions to millions of people who reside in the fertile plains.
According to NASA satellite images, a thick layer of fog was observed over the Ganges Delta on January 6. The haze was caused by cool weather conditions, low winds, and thick humidity at the surface, forming the type of haze that is prevalent in the depths of winter.
Fog grips the Delta
The Terra satellite that is equipped with a remote sensing instrument, the MODIS, was detecting low-lying clouds over the delta and surrounding landmasses. The cold wave was still getting worse, as meteorological agencies in India and Bangladesh had earlier issued warnings of moderate to very dense fog that day.
This kind of fog is referred to as radiation fog and is developed when the ground loses heat throughout the night and the still air condenses moisture. It may remain several hours, and more particularly in the areas that are low in altitude, such as the Ganges Delta, where the moisture content is naturally elevated.
Cloud bands over the Bay of Bengal
There were long streaks of clouds above the Bay of Bengal in addition to the land. These occurrences are known as cloud streets and are developed when cooled air travels on warmer waters of the ocean. The air gathers heat and moisture, draws upwards after which it becomes trapped by an overlying layer of warmer air.
When the air comes as rotating bands, clouds are formed in some places, and in others, it is clear. The pattern appears clean and structured as seen through space, but it is an indication that there are active processes of weather that are occurring on top of the sea.
Travel disrupted across South Asia
In spite of the fact that the scene appeared quite peaceful on the verge, the situation on the ground was anything but an easy task. The visibility was terrible due to heavy fog in the early morning hours. The airport of Dhaka experienced prolonged delays with the planes finding it hard to land and take off safely.
Similar issues were also reported in northern, central and eastern India. The cold and fog took their toll on the region, and road traffic slowed, trains were late, and everyday life was inconvenienced.