Cold wave grips north India as temperatures drop, yellow alert in 11 Punjab districts for cold – Check full forecast here

Fresh snowfall in the hilly regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand has triggered a sharp drop in temperatures across North India, including Delhi. Cold winds from the mountains have intensified the cold wave, with the mercury expected to dip further in the coming days.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi’s night temperature was recorded at 8°C on Tuesday, two degrees below the seasonal average. The maximum temperature stood at 23°C, also two degrees below normal. Earlier on Monday, Delhi experienced its coldest daytime temperature of the winter season at 21.6°C, 3.2 degrees below normal, while the night temperature was 8.2°C.

IMD forecasts for Wednesday suggest Delhi’s maximum temperature will hover around 23°C, with the minimum likely to fall to 7°C. Dense fog is also expected across the National Capital Region (NCR).

The cold wave has extended beyond Delhi, affecting Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh. Temperatures across all districts of Kashmir have dropped below freezing, with Gulmarg recording the lowest at -9°C. Jammu division districts are also grappling with increased cold.

Himachal Pradesh is reeling under a severe cold wave, with temperatures below freezing at 15 locations. Snowfall has disrupted traffic on 18 roads, including three national highways. The weather department has issued warnings of dense fog and cold wave conditions in Bilaspur, Mandi, Una, and Kangra for December 11.

In Punjab, a yellow alert for cold wave conditions has been issued in 11 districts. Pathankot and Faridkot were the coldest areas on Tuesday, with minimum temperatures of 1.2°C and 1.5°C, respectively.

Similarly, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh are witnessing significant drops in temperatures, intensifying the cold wave. Bihar has also seen a dip, with Dehri recording the lowest temperature in the state at 9.6°C.

The severe cold wave is expected to persist, with dense fog likely to disrupt travel across the region. Residents are advised to take precautions and stay updated on weather forecasts.