North India is reeling under a severe cold wave after two days of heavy rainfall brought a sharp drop in temperatures. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for extreme cold and dense fog across parts of North-West and Central India, with conditions expected to worsen in the coming days.
Severe Cold Wave Predicted
According to the IMD, areas in Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir will experience a severe cold wave from December 30 to January 1. Temperatures are likely to drop by 3-5 degrees Celsius across these regions, with New Year’s Day set to bring significant chill to these areas.
Foggy Mornings and Evenings
Dense to very dense fog is forecast during late-night and early-morning hours in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The reduced visibility has already started disrupting road and rail traffic, adding to the challenges posed by plummeting temperatures.
Snowfall Disrupts Life in Kashmir and Uttarakhand
In Kashmir, the season’s heaviest snowfall has brought life to a standstill. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remains closed, train services between Banihal and Baramulla are suspended, and air traffic from Srinagar has been halted. Residents are grappling with power and water supply issues.
Similarly, Uttarakhand’s hill districts, including Auli and Chopta, are buried under snow, blocking major highways such as the Badrinath and Joshimath-Niti roads. The snowfall and rain have disrupted connectivity and caused power outages in several villages.
Record Rainfall in Delhi
Delhi received a record 41.2 mm of rainfall within 24 hours, the highest in December since 1923. Following the rain, the maximum temperature dropped to 15.8°C, significantly below normal, with cold wave conditions prevailing. The minimum temperature also touched an abnormal 12.7°C, adding to the chill.
Temperature Plummets in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan
Rainfall across Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Rajasthan has intensified the cold. Cities like Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Ambala are recording sharp temperature drops. Jhalawar in Rajasthan saw 86 mm of rainfall, accompanied by hailstorms in some eastern areas. Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, recorded a maximum temperature of just 15.1°C.