According to meteorologists, a period of rain and snowfall has already begun in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. In the coming days, cold winds blowing from the Himalayas could intensify the cold in the plains.
Rain and snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh have led to severe cold and dense fog in several states across northern India. A cold wave is sweeping through Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, but the effects of the cold are not as severe in many parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature in the plains of North India was recorded between 5-10 degrees Celsius, which is much below normal. Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh recorded the lowest temperature of 4.5 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature in Delhi was around 9-11 degrees, while in cities like Lucknow and Patna, the biting cold has confined people to their homes. The temperature in some parts of Punjab, Haryana and Eastern Rajasthan also remained between 5-10 degrees. Dense fog is bringing down the visibility to zero in the morning and evening, affecting trains and flights.
The International Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of dense fog and cold wave until December 28th. However, the cold is relatively less prevalent in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ajmer, and Kota in Rajasthan, Bhopal, Indore in Madhya Pradesh, and central Chhattisgarh. The minimum temperature in Jaipur hovered around 10-12 degrees Celsius, while Bhopal recorded 12-15 degrees Celsius. Experts say that due to the active western disturbance and the lack of snowfall in the Himalayas, cold winds are not reaching the plains evenly. Northern Rajasthan is experiencing severe cold, but southern and central parts are experiencing some relief. According to meteorologists, a period of rain and snowfall has already begun in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Consequently, cold winds blowing from the Himalayas in the coming days may intensify the cold in the plains.
The problem of toxic air is continuously increasing in the capital Delhi. Due to dense fog and thick blanket of smog on Tuesday morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached dangerous ‘severe’ level. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the average AQI of Delhi was recorded at 414 at 7 am. In many areas, the AQI reached above 450 and became ‘severe plus’, which is considered extremely harmful for health. The worst situation was in Anand Vihar, where AQI was recorded at 466.
The temperature in Mundka was 451, in Ashok Vihar 444, and in the ITO area 436. Dense fog reduced visibility to near zero, delaying many flights and trains. Strict restrictions under Group 4 are in place in Delhi-NCR, including a halt to construction work, a ban on vehicle entry, and a restriction on the attendance of 50 percent of employees in offices.
