Dense Fog Covers Ganga Delta During Cold Wave

On January 6, 2026, NASA’s Terra satellite captured a striking image of the Ganga Delta covered in thick fog, showing the full effect of winter on the Indo-Gangetic Plain, which stretches across Pakistan, northern India, and Bangladesh.

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument revealed low-lying radiation fog blanketing the delta. This type of fog forms when the ground cools at night, winds are light, and there is plenty of moisture on the surface. The fog covered the fertile delta region during an ongoing cold wave.

Weather authorities in the region, including India’s IMD and Bangladesh’s BMD, issued alerts for moderate to very dense fog, warning people about reduced visibility and colder temperatures. In January, radiation fog is common in lowlands like the Ganga Delta, but it can make daily life difficult for millions of people living in this densely populated area.

The fog not only reduces visibility on roads and rivers but also affects transport, agriculture, and daily routines, highlighting the challenges that winter brings to this region.