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North India is reeling under an intense cold wave as icy winds from the Himalayas push temperatures well below normal. Dense fog has reduced visibility to near zero in several areas, severely affecting road, rail, and air traffic.
North India Shivers Under Freezing Winds and Zero Visibility Fog
New Delhi: Icy winds blowing from the high peaks of the Himalayas have gripped North India in a severe cold wave. Temperatures have dropped well below normal in several states, including Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. The minimum temperature in the capital, Delhi, was recorded at 3.2 degrees Celsius, while in Gurugram, the mercury dropped to 0.6 degrees Celsius. Due to the persistent cold winds, people are experiencing chills day and night.
Along with the cold, dense fog has severely disrupted normal life. Visibility has dropped to minus 50 meters in many areas of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana. Road, rail, and air traffic were the worst affected during the morning hours. Trains were delayed in many places, and traffic on highways was extremely slow.
Delhi records 3°C, coldest January day since 2013; Check weather update here
Many parts of North India recorded the coldest night of the season. The minimum temperature in Kukumseri, Himachal Pradesh, dropped to -10.8 degrees Celsius. Nyoma in Ladakh recorded a low of -19.5 degrees Celsius. Fatehpur in Rajasthan recorded a low of 0.4 degrees Celsius, while Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh recorded a minimum temperature of 3.8 degrees Celsius.
According to the India Meteorological Department, the cold wave in the plains has intensified due to the influence of cold northern winds and western disturbances coming from the Himalayan region.
A red alert has been issued for Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi.
An orange alert has been issued in Uttar Pradesh for the next two to three days.
A warning of dense fog has been issued for Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand.
Weather Update: Severe cold wave sweeps North India; Rain likely in NCR
Due to the severe cold, school timings have been changed in many states. Laborers and daily wage workers working in the open are facing severe hardship. Rivers, drains, and water supply lines have frozen in hilly areas. The number of patients suffering from colds, coughs, and respiratory illnesses is increasing in hospitals. The administration has advised people to avoid unnecessary travel and wear adequate warm clothing.
The Meteorological Department predicts that a new western disturbance may become active from January 15th. This will increase snowfall in the hilly areas and intensify the cold in the plains. The coming days will remain challenging for North India.
