New Delhi: India is in the grip of intense winter conditions, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of cold wave to severe cold wave conditions across
large parts of north and northwest India over the next few days. In a press release issued at 2 pm on Saturday, the India Meteorological Department said the cold spell is likely to peak on January 12 and 13 before gradually easing.
Severe cold warning
According to the IMD, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are very likely to experience cold wave to severe cold wave conditions on January 12 and 13. In Rajasthan, severe cold wave conditions are expected in many or some places on both days, easing slightly to cold wave conditions on January 14. Punjab, Haryana and Delhi may see severe cold wave conditions in isolated pockets on January 12, followed by cold wave conditions on January 13. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are also likely to witness severe cold in isolated areas till January 13.
Dense to very dense fog continues to be a major concern, particularly during morning hours. The IMD warned that dense fog is very likely over northwest India and Bihar for the next five days. Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi may experience dense fog conditions till January 17, while parts of Uttar Pradesh could see very dense fog till January 13. In the past 24 hours, visibility dropped to near-zero levels in several locations, including Amritsar (0 metres), Gorakhpur (10 metres), Pilani (90 metres) and Patna (100 metres).
Temperatures dip sharply
The impact of the cold spell was evident in minimum temperatures recorded across the region. Many areas of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and north Rajasthan reported minimum temperatures between 1°C and 5°C, while parts of Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh saw temperatures falling below freezing. Pilani in east Rajasthan recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the plains at 1.2°C. Temperatures across parts of northwest India were 3°C to 6°C below normal.
The IMD said there would be no significant change in minimum temperatures over northwest India for the next three days, after which a gradual rise of 2–3°C is expected. Central India is also likely to see stable temperatures initially, followed by a modest increase later in the week.
Dry weather ahead
Rainfall activity is expected to remain minimal across most of the country. Northern India, including Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, is forecast to remain dry throughout the next seven days. Some isolated to scattered rainfall may occur over parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and coastal Andhra Pradesh during January 11–13, after which conditions will turn dry.
The IMD has advised people, especially in north India, to take precautions against extreme cold and reduced visibility, while fishermen have been warned against venturing into the Gulf of Mannar and adjoining sea areas due to rough conditions.
