North India continues to shiver under the grip of a severe cold wave, with subzero temperatures recorded in parts of Kashmir and night temperatures nearing freezing levels in Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of further temperature drops across several states, highlighting the harshness of this winter.
Kashmir: Freezing Nights Intensify
The Kashmir Valley experienced a significant dip in temperatures, with night temperatures falling below zero. Srinagar, the region’s capital, recorded a low of -1°C, while the popular ski destination Gulmarg plummeted to -9.8°C, making it the coldest place in the valley. Pahalgam, a base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, registered a chilly -8.2°C.
Other regions in Kashmir, such as Kupwara (-2.1°C), Qazigund (-2.4°C), and Konibal (-1°C), also reported subzero temperatures. The IMD has forecast a continuation of dry weather with isolated chances of light snowfall over the coming days, adding that temperatures may drop even further.
Delhi: Foggy Mornings and Sunny Afternoons
In the national capital, residents saw a brief respite as a sunny afternoon brought some relief from the intense cold. Delhi’s maximum temperature climbed to 21.5°C, a significant rise from the previous day’s 16.2°C. However, the city faced a colder morning, with the minimum temperature dropping sharply to 7.4°C, down from 10.5°C the day before.
Dense fog blanketed the city in the morning, reducing visibility to zero, before giving way to clear skies later in the day.
Himachal Pradesh: Yellow Warning Issued
The weather in Himachal Pradesh remained severe, with the IMD issuing a yellow warning for cold wave, ground frost, and dense fog in five districts: Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, and Mandi.
- Una experienced a cold wave with temperatures hovering around 1.2°C, while the tribal region of Lahaul and Spiti recorded the coldest temperature at -13.6°C.
- Tabo in Lahaul and Spiti witnessed the harshest conditions, with freezing nights disrupting daily life.
- The weather department predicts possible snowfall in the mid and high hills of the state by the weekend.
Rajasthan: Cold Wave Tightens Grip
In Rajasthan, several districts saw temperatures dip close to freezing. The coldest temperature was recorded in Fatehpur (1.1°C) in the Sikar district. Other notable temperatures included:
- Nagaur: 1.7°C
- Sirohi: 2.7°C
- Jalore: 2.9°C
- Churu: 4°C
The IMD predicts dry weather in Rajasthan for the next few days, with further drops of 2-4°C in both minimum and maximum temperatures.
Punjab and Haryana: Dense Fog Persists
Dense fog continued to disrupt visibility in Punjab and Haryana, with Amritsar reporting zero visibility. Other key temperature highlights include:
- Sangrur (Punjab): 3°C, six notches below normal.
- Amritsar: 3.5°C
- Ludhiana: 6.8°C
- Patiala: 7.4°C
In Chandigarh, visibility dropped to 80 meters due to dense fog, while Haryana’s Karnal and Ambala also reported foggy conditions.
IMD’s Outlook for North India
The India Meteorological Department forecasts further dips in minimum temperatures by 2°C over the next 24 hours, followed by a gradual rise of 2-4°C. Cold wave conditions are expected to persist in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu-Kashmir through the weekend.
A western disturbance is likely to bring rain and snowfall to parts of northwest India later in the week, providing some respite from the dry spell.
Conclusion
The intense cold wave across north India underscores the severity of this winter season. From subzero temperatures in Kashmir to dense fog in Punjab, the weather continues to challenge daily life. With forecasts of further drops in temperatures and potential snowfall, residents are advised to stay updated with IMD weather alerts and take necessary precautions.
