As winter intensifies, a sharp drop in temperatures has gripped several states across North India, with Delhi-NCR witnessing a significant chill. The biting cold has been accompanied by dense fog and deteriorating air quality, prompting the implementation of strict measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4). The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for severe weather conditions, particularly for regions experiencing cold waves and fog.
Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 5°C, with fog enveloping parts of the city. The cold wave has compounded the impact of rising pollution levels, further disrupting normal life. Several northern states, including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, are also bracing for adverse weather conditions, with forecasts of dense fog and chilly winds. In Uttar Pradesh, multiple districts reported a significant drop in visibility, while Bihar experienced cloudy skies with slight relief due to higher night temperatures, hovering around 12.5°C in Patna.
Further north, the Himalayan states are enduring even harsher conditions. Jammu and Kashmir recorded the season’s lowest temperature in Srinagar at -5.3°C. Iconic landmarks like Dal Lake have begun to freeze as the cold intensifies across the region. In Himachal Pradesh, the Lahaul-Spiti district’s Tabo area recorded -6.4°C, while Uttarakhand’s higher altitudes, including Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib, experienced fresh snowfall, adding to the region’s icy grip.
Moving to central India, Madhya Pradesh and neighboring regions also reported plummeting temperatures. Meanwhile, Jharkhand saw temperatures dip below 10°C in most areas, with Kanke district hitting 2.5°C. IMD forecasts slight relief due to a cyclonic system, which may raise minimum temperatures by 3-5°C over the coming days. However, parts of Jharkhand could experience light rainfall on December 20-21, adding to the weather’s unpredictability.
In Haryana, cold wave conditions persisted as Hisar recorded a slight rise in temperature from 0.6°C on Monday to 1.6°C on Tuesday. The state continues to grapple with worsening air quality, with seven cities, including Gurgaon, reporting “very poor” AQI levels. The administration has issued work-from-home advisories for private offices and adjusted working hours for government employees to mitigate the health impacts.
As the cold wave tightens its grip across North and Central India, IMD’s alerts highlight the need for precautionary measures. With temperatures expected to drop further, residents are urged to remain vigilant and take necessary steps to stay warm and safe.
