An intense cold wave is set to grip large parts of northern India from Wednesday night, with mercury dipping to single digits by 8:30 P.M., as several cities already have witnessed plunging temperatures,
according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
According to the weatherman, the dramatic fall in temperatures can be compared to the severe winter spells experienced in December 2019 and early 2024. Widespread cold wave conditions are likely to hit several states, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi.
Meanwhile, several cities have already witnessed dipping temperatures with the onset of a prolonged winter spell on Tuesday night, January 6. The national capital recorded 9.6 degrees Celsius – 2.6 degrees lower than Delhi’s temperature at the same time on Monday night, January 5.
Rajasthan’s Churu recorded 8.6 degrees Celsius, with Patiala witnessing 9 degrees Celsius and Rohtak 9.6 degrees Celsius.
The IMD has stated that the sharp drop is part of the build-up to the peak cold wave conditions between January 8 and 15. At the same time, it warned that temperatures across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi could fall by another 2-3 notches over the next two days.
Between January 7 to January 9, some areas of Punjab and Haryana are likely to experience dense to dense fog conditions.
Delhi sees its first cold day of the year
The national capital saw its first cold day of the year on Tuesday as the maximum temperature took a serious drop. According to the IMD, the cold wave conditions were witnessed at Palam and Lodhi Road, where the maximum temperature stood between 4.5 and 6.4 degrees Celsius.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for dense fog on Wednesday, with cold wave conditions likely to prevail.
The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to hover around 16 degrees Celsius and 7 degrees Celsius.
Air quality worsens in Delhi
As cold wave conditions gripped the capital, the Air Quality Index (AQI) slipped to 310, falling in the ‘very poor’ category, against 244 a day earlier.
According to the data obtained from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), a total of 27 stations recorded ‘very poor’ AQI, with Mundka being the worst hit with a reading of 369.
