India will celebrate the 75th Republic Day on 26th January 2024. The day is recognized to commemorate the establishment of the Indian Constitution in 1950. Republic Day is observed with great fervour and festivities. The theme of 75th Republic Day is ‘Viksit Bharat’ & ‘Bharat-Loktantara ki Matruka’. French President Emmanuel Macron will be the ‘ Chief Guest’ for this grand occasion.
Weather conditions remain all pervasive and hold the key for preparations, rehearsal of the parade and climax of ‘Fly Past’ on the final day. Full dress rehearsal has gone through today and all eyes are now on the final day. By virtue of being in the midst of harsh wintry conditions, the national capital gets exposed to freeze, fog, rain and clouds, occasionally dampening the spirits. There is no escape from freeze and fog likely but the biggest spoiler- the rain will ‘remain at bay’.
Since 2005, it has rained on 2 occasions on the Republic Day. 26th Jan 2015 witnessed light rain during the proceedings and also in 2017, the event observed passing showers during the parade moving past the saluting dais. Dense fog, making the ‘Fly Past’ challenging was witnessed in 2009, 2010, 2014, 2018. 2021 & 2023.
Extreme cold wave conditions have been rare in the past, as the minimum temperature remained above 4°C. The exception was in 2022, when the minimum temperature plunged to 2.1°C, making it a severe cold wave day. Also in 2006 & 2008, the mercury dived to 4.8°C and 4.1°C, respectively.
Republic Day 2024 is expected to witness harsh conditions in the morning. Dense fog and icy winds raising the chill factor is likely, to start in the morning. Fog is likely to start thinning out by about 1030hrs. For the ‘Fly Past’, fog will lower the visibility, outside the operational requirement of the fixed-wing fleet. However, the breeze will churn the fog layer much before the fly-past contingent reaches the IOP (Operating Point). Fly Past may not be ‘majestic’ but surely better than last year, which was dampened by sky-obscured conditions. A decent fly past can be expected to the cheers and pleasure of the spectators.
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