As 2024 draws to a close, a severe cold wave has gripped North India. Particularly in Delhi-NCR, the biting cold and shivering conditions are impacting daily life. The snowfall in the mountains is directly affecting the plains.
Weather: A severe cold wave has enveloped the entire North India. The Meteorological Department forecasts that the cold conditions will persist for the next three to four days. The snowfall in the hilly areas is directly impacting the plains. Although Delhi-NCR saw some sunshine, people found no relief due to the biting cold and chilly winds. The cold wave continues to wreak havoc in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan.
Dense fog is causing difficulties for the general public during the morning and night. Traffic and daily life have also been severely affected. Moreover, the temperature in many areas has plummeted below normal, exacerbating the situation.
Cold Wave in Kashmir
The cold wave continues to grip Gulmarg and Pahalgam in Kashmir. Temperatures in these areas have fallen several degrees below freezing, impacting daily life. The tourist destination Gulmarg, renowned for ‘skiing’ activities, recorded a minimum temperature of -10 degrees Celsius, highlighting the intensity of the frigid weather. Srinagar, on the other hand, saw a night temperature of -0.9 degrees Celsius, which is slightly above normal. The gateway to the valley, Qazigund, recorded a temperature of -2.8 degrees Celsius, while Konibal registered -1.4 degrees Celsius.
Currently, the Kashmir Valley is under the grip of ‘Chillai-Kalan,’ the coldest and harshest period of winter. This period, which began on December 21, typically lasts for 40 days and sees the peak of winter. During this season, snowfall and cold waves boost tourism activities, but life becomes difficult for local residents.
Dense Fog and Mist Likely in Delhi
The national capital Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 10.3 degrees Celsius on Monday, which is 3.5 degrees above normal. However, the effect of the cold persists, and the Meteorological Department has indicated that the cold is likely to increase in the coming days. In Delhi-NCR, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was in the ‘moderate’ category at 178 at nine in the morning.
The Meteorological Department has predicted dense fog and mist for today (December 31). There is a forecast of dense fog in some places during the morning, while there is a possibility of mist or light fog in the evening and night. The temperature will continue to fall over the next few days. The maximum temperature is expected to be around 18 degrees Celsius, and the minimum around nine degrees Celsius.
Cold Wave Warning in These Cities
The impact of winter is at its peak in Rajasthan. Cold day and severe cold day conditions are being recorded in the eastern and western parts of the state due to a significant drop in the maximum and minimum temperatures. Many districts including Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Churu, and Sri Ganganagar were covered in dense fog, which affected traffic and caused people to experience both cold and biting chill. Sirohi recorded a minimum temperature of 5.2 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest place in the state.
Mount Abu, the state's only hill station, is covered in a sheet of ice due to snowfall. The temperature here has dropped to -3 degrees Celsius, resulting in a spectacular view of ice at Polo Ground and other places. Due to the cold and icy weather, Mount Abu is seeing an influx of tourists. This place, which offers an experience similar to Kashmir and Himachal, has become a major attraction for visiting during the winter days. The Meteorological Department has issued a cold wave and fog warning across the state, indicating a likelihood of further increase in cold in the coming days.
How Will the Weather Be in UP, Punjab, and Haryana?
Daily life is severely affected in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar due to severe cold and cold waves. The mercury has dropped to 3 degrees Celsius in UP, increasing the shivering cold. An alert for rain has been issued in 13 districts of Bihar, which is likely to intensify the cold. The weather has also changed in Jharkhand, deepening the impact of the cold.
The cold wave continues to grip Punjab and Haryana. The maximum temperature in both states was recorded below normal, and visibility has decreased due to dense fog. Chandigarh recorded a maximum temperature of 17.4 degrees Celsius, while places in Haryana such as Ambala, Hisar, Karnal, and Rohtak recorded temperatures between 13 and 16 degrees Celsius. The day temperature in Amritsar and Ludhiana in Punjab was recorded around 16 degrees Celsius.
