The new year brought with it an intensification of cold weather across North India. A cold wave has swept through Delhi-NCR, resulting in a significant drop in temperature. Increased cold and frost are also being experienced in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
Weather: The start of the new year has been marked by severe cold and dense fog across northern India. According to the Meteorological Department, the cold wave will persist in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand, including Delhi-NCR. Dense fog and b cold winds in the national capital are likely to intensify the chill in the morning.
Temperatures in western Uttar Pradesh and Bihar will also remain below normal, causing considerable discomfort from the cold. In Rajasthan's Churu and Sri Ganganagar districts, temperatures may approach freezing, while fog in Punjab and Haryana could impact traffic.
Impact of Cold Wave in Delhi
The cold wave affecting Delhi-NCR continues unabated. The Meteorological Department anticipates the chilly weather conditions to persist for the next few days, potentially leading to a temperature drop in Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad during the new year. Tuesday's minimum temperature in Delhi reached 9.6 degrees Celsius, which is 2.6 degrees above normal, compared to 10.3 degrees Celsius on Monday.
The weather forecast for Delhi and surrounding areas indicates a continuation of cold days with dense fog. Additionally, there is a possibility of fog or light mist in the evening and night hours. The maximum temperature in Delhi may reach 15 degrees Celsius, further intensifying the cold.
Impact of Cold Wave in Jharkhand
Jharkhand is likely to see a decrease in temperature by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius in the next two days. According to the Meteorological Department, the new year was greeted by dense fog and cold winds in the state. Abhishek Anand, officer-in-charge of the Ranchi Meteorological Centre, stated that the weather will remain dry for the next five days, with fog anticipated in the morning. Dense fog is particularly expected in northern Jharkhand during the morning hours. Currently, Jharkhand's minimum temperature is between 11 and 14 degrees Celsius.
Cold Wave in Other States
Punjab and Haryana continue to experience severe cold, with temperatures below normal. Narnaul in Haryana was the coldest region, registering a minimum temperature of 4.5 degrees Celsius, two degrees below normal. Temperatures in Hisar were 6.8 degrees Celsius, while Bhiwani and Sirsa recorded 6.7 and 7.4 degrees Celsius, respectively. Ambala's minimum temperature was 9.1 degrees Celsius. In Punjab, Bathinda was the coldest area, with a temperature of 5 degrees Celsius. Sangrur and Faridkot recorded minimum temperatures of 5.3 and 6 degrees Celsius, respectively, while Ludhiana, Patiala, and Amritsar registered 7.4, 8.9, and 9 degrees Celsius, respectively. Chandigarh's minimum temperature stood at 9.4 degrees Celsius.
In Rajasthan, a surge in the cold wave, driven by northerly winds, is affecting daily life due to frost. According to the Jaipur Meteorological Centre, the cold wave is expected to persist for the next two to three days, with its impact likely to increase today. Dense fog on Tuesday reduced visibility in several districts, including Jaipur, Ajmer, Rajsamand, Sikar, Pali, Kota, Jodhpur, and Udaipur, making road travel challenging. The minimum temperature in Jaipur remained below 10 degrees Celsius.
