import cv2

import numpy as np

# Load the image using OpenCV

image_cv = cv2.imread(image_path)

# Get the dimensions of the image

height, width, _ = image_cv.shape

# Split the image into two halves (left and right)

left_half = image_cv[:, :width//2]

right_half = image_cv[:, width//2:]

# Resize both halves to have the same height

new_width = min(left_half.shape[1], right_half.shape[1])

left_half_resized = cv2.resize(left_half, (new_width, height))

right_half_resized = cv2.resize(right_half, (new_width, height))

# Merge the two images smoothly

merged_image = np.hstack((left_half_resized, right_half_resized))

# Save the merged image

merged_image_path = "/mnt/data/merged_image.jpg"

cv2.imwrite(merged_image_path, merged_image)

# Return the path of the merged image

merged_image_path