After two days of heavy rain, north India is experiencing a severe cold wave with temperatures dropping sharply. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for extreme cold and dense fog in parts of north-west and central India, with conditions expected to worsen.
Severe cold wave forecast
The IMD predicts that Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir will face a severe cold wave from December 30 to January 1. Temperatures in these regions may drop by 3-5°C, making New Year’s Day particularly chilly.
Dense fog disrupts travel
Dense fog is expected during late-night and early-morning hours in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Poor visibility has already begun affecting road and rail travel, creating additional challenges alongside freezing temperatures.
Heavy snowfall paralyzes Kashmir and Uttarakhand
Kashmir’s heaviest snowfall of the season has brought daily life to a halt. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is closed, train services between Banihal and Baramulla are suspended, and flights from Srinagar are grounded. Many areas face power outages and water supply disruptions.
In Uttarakhand, popular hill destinations like Auli and Chopta are buried under snow, blocking major routes like the Badrinath and Joshimath-Niti roads. Villages are struggling with connectivity issues and power cuts due to snowfall and rain.
Record rainfall in Delhi
Delhi recorded 41.2 mm of rain in 24 hours, the highest for December since 1923. The rainfall brought the maximum temperature down to 15.8°C, well below normal. The minimum temperature also dropped to 12.7°C, adding to the cold wave conditions.
Cold intensifies in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan
Rainfall has deepened the chill in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Cities like Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Ambala are seeing significant temperature drops. In Rajasthan, Jhalawar recorded 86 mm of rain, with some areas experiencing hailstorms. Chandigarh, shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, recorded a maximum temperature of only 15.1°C.
As the cold wave continues, residents across North India are bracing for even harsher weather in the days to come.
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