Severe cold has gripped regions from Kashmir to Darjeeling, with temperatures dropping below zero in many Himalayan areas. Dense fog has disrupted normal life in the plains, affecting road and air traffic.
Sub-Zero Temperatures Across Himalayan Region as Cold Wave Intensifies
New Delhi: A severe cold wave continues to grip the entire Himalayan region, from Kashmir to Darjeeling in West Bengal. Temperatures have plummeted to as low as 7 degrees Celsius below zero in many areas. The combination of a cold wave and clear skies is causing a sharp drop in nighttime temperatures. The intense cold has disrupted normal life.
After three days of respite, the cold has intensified again in the Kashmir Valley. Clear skies on Wednesday night led to a sharp drop in minimum temperatures. In Srinagar, the minimum temperature fell to minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, compared to 3 degrees the previous day. Temperatures also dropped by about 1.5 degrees in the Jammu division.
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Sonamarg, a popular tourist destination in central Kashmir, was the coldest place in the region, recording a minimum temperature of minus 7.3 degrees Celsius. According to the Meteorological Department, the weather will remain clear for the next two days, followed by cloudy conditions, light drizzle, and light snowfall in the higher reaches.
According to the Meteorological Centre Shimla, a Western Disturbance is likely to become active from December 27th. Under its influence, light snowfall and rain are expected in the higher mountainous regions after December 28th. Snowfall is also forecast in some parts of the state on December 30th and 31st. However, this year too, major tourist destinations including Shimla and Manali did not experience a 'White Christmas'.
Dense fog is affecting several areas of Himachal Pradesh. The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for dense to very dense fog in Bilaspur. A yellow alert has been issued for Una, Hamirpur, Mandi, Kangra, Solan, and Sirmaur districts. Drivers have been advised to be cautious due to reduced visibility.
Air traffic has also been affected due to dense fog and inclement weather. Domestic airline IndiGo cancelled 67 flights from various airports. These include Bengaluru, Varanasi, Chandigarh, Agartala, and Dehradun. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has declared a fog period from December 10 to February 10, during which only trained pilots and aircraft equipped with CAT-3B technology are permitted to operate.
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A severe cold wave is sweeping across several parts of Rajasthan due to icy winds. Fatehpur in Sikar district was the coldest place, recording a minimum temperature of 1.6 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, dense to very dense fog prevailed in Punjab. Adampur recorded a minimum temperature of 3 degrees Celsius.
Temperatures dropped by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius in several parts of West Bengal. The hill town of Darjeeling recorded the state's lowest temperature at 4.5 degrees Celsius. According to the Meteorological Department, the weather will remain dry in the state for the next seven days, although light to moderate fog may persist.
