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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an alarm over an impending severe cold snap accompanied by thick fog that is set to envelop parts of North-West and Central India. This warning comes in the wake of a significant temperature drop following two days of heavy rain, which has left North India in the grips of an intense cold wave. The forecast suggests that these conditions will only get worse in the days ahead, signaling challenging days for the residents of these regions.
In particular, the IMD has pointed out that from December 30 to January 1, regions including Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir will be hit by a severe cold wave. This period is expected to see a temperature decrease of 3-5 degrees Celsius, promising a notably chilly start to the New Year for these areas.
The dense fog, predicted to occur during late-night to early-morning hours in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, is set to further complicate matters. The diminished visibility has already begun to impact road and rail traffic, exacerbating the difficulties caused by the falling temperatures. Such conditions underscore the severe weather's broad impact, stretching from transportation disruptions to challenges in daily living.
Amid these conditions, parts of Punjab have already experienced a palpable cold grip, with a thin layer of fog cloaking cities like Jalandhar. Similarly, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, the cold has driven people towards night shelters and bonfires as they seek respite from the chill, with the IMD recording a minimum temperature of 12 degrees Celsius.
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The situation is dire in Kashmir as well, where the heaviest snowfall of the season has disrupted life significantly. Key infrastructures like the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway have been closed, and train services between Banihal and Baramulla are suspended, halting air traffic from Srinagar. This has left the local population struggling with essential services like power and water supply.
Similarly, Uttarakhand’s hill districts, including tourist spots like Auli and Chopta, are under a thick blanket of snow, blocking critical highways and causing power outages in several villages. This weather has not only impeded movement but also cut off villages, highlighting the far-reaching effects of this severe weather episode.
Delhi, too, has not been spared, recording its highest single-day rainfall for December since 1923, which has led the weather department to issue a yellow alert. Citizens have been advised to stay vigilant as fog spells are expected to continue. Meanwhile, rainfall has intensified the cold across Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Rajasthan, with cities recording significant temperature dips. For instance, Jhalawar in Rajasthan experienced 86 mm of rainfall, and hailstorms were reported in some eastern areas. Chandigarh, the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, saw a maximum temperature of merely 15.1°C.
As these regions brace for more cold and disruption, the IMD's warnings serve as a reminder of the weather's powerful impact on daily life and the importance of staying prepared during such extreme conditions.
