After the rain, North India is rapidly falling under the grip of winter, especially in the Kashmir Valley, where minimum temperatures have dropped below zero in many areas. Meanwhile, in Punjab, night temperatures have fallen below 5°C in some places, making the effect of the cold fully palpable.
Weather Update: Winter has now fully arrived in North India. A continuous drop in temperature is being observed, while the Kashmir Valley is experiencing the harshest cold of the season. From Srinagar to Shopian and Gulmarg, several areas have reached well below zero. On the other hand, in South India, heavy rainfall continues due to a low-pressure area formed in the Bay of Bengal, affecting daily life in many parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Kerala.
This widespread weather change is not only challenging for local residents but also indicates the likelihood of further sharp changes in the weather across both North and South regions in the coming days.
Temperatures in Kashmir Drop 5°C Below Zero; Srinagar Records Season's Coldest Night
Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded the season's coldest night on Sunday, with temperatures dropping to minus 3.2°C.
The situation became even more severe in several places across the Kashmir Valley:
- Shopian: Minus 5.1°C — The coldest place in the valley
- Pulwama: Minus 5°C
- Anantnag: Minus 4°C
- Gulmarg: Minus 1.9°C
The most alarming temperature was recorded at Zojila Pass, where the mercury plummeted to minus 16°C. Due to the intense cold, water sources are freezing, and local residents are facing additional difficulties in the mornings and late evenings.
Cold Intensifies in Punjab-Haryana; Faridkot Sees Mercury Below 5°C
Winter has also gained momentum in the plains of North India. Faridkot in Punjab recorded a minimum temperature of 4.4°C on Monday, making it the coldest place in the state. Faridkot was also the coldest on Sunday, indicating a continuous increase in winter severity in Punjab.
- Narnaul: 7.8°C — The coldest city in the state
- Chandigarh: 6.4°C
- Bathinda: 6.4°C
With fog in the mornings and a slight chill during the day, people are now fully preparing for the arrival of the cold wave.
West Bengal: Temperature to Drop Another 2°C in Next 48 Hours
According to the Meteorological Department, minimum temperatures in West Bengal are likely to drop by two degrees over the next two days. A slight increase might follow, but the state is expected to experience dry weather for the next seven days. Darjeeling was the coldest place in the state on Monday, recording a minimum temperature of 5.8°C. Cold conditions are also intensifying in other hilly areas of North Bengal.
Rain Alert in South India: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Kerala Affected. While North India is grappling with cold, South India is battling heavy rainfall. The low-pressure area formed in the Bay of Bengal intensified into a depression on Monday, leading to:
- Heavy rainfall in Puducherry and Karaikal
- Schools and colleges closed
- Waterlogging on many roads
- Disruption of daily life
Orange and Yellow alerts have been issued for the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu. The Meteorological Department has warned of b winds and lightning strikes in some areas. At least 7 districts in Kerala are under a Yellow alert, with heavy rainfall recorded in many places.
