New Delhi: A bitter cold wave swept across India, bringing freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall and rain to several regions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of a sharp drop in temperatures in North-West, Central and East India over the next five days, along with dense fog and persistent cold conditions.
Hilly states Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are bearing the brunt of the weather, with heavy snowfall blanketing high-altitude areas and disrupting daily life. The plains are also reeling under intense cold, as rainfall and fog add to the chill, impacting transportation and daily activities in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Dense fog alert for Delhi
The IMD has forecast colder days ahead, with temperatures expected to drop by 3-5°C in North-West and Central India and 2-4°C in East India over the next two days. Dense fog is likely to persist in Delhi-NCR and other parts of North India, with visibility issues affecting transportation.
In Bihar, districts such as Patna, Nalanda, and Gaya experienced rain, with more expected in the coming days. Schools in several districts were shut down due to adverse weather. Similar conditions were reported in Uttar Pradesh, where 14 districts saw significant rainfall, disrupting normal life.
Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand under grip of snowfall
Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand witnessed heavy snowfall over the weekend, which disrupted air, rail, and road travel.
In Kashmir, the snowfall caused widespread power outages and water supply issues, severely affecting daily life. High-altitude areas such as Auli, Hemkund Sahib, and Pithoragarh are blanketed in snow, creating picturesque but challenging conditions for residents and tourists.
Uttarakhand faced a similar situation, with highways to Himalayan temples remaining closed due to continuous snowfall. Disaster management officials reported severe cold in most hill districts, where a combination of snow and intermittent rain intensified the chill.
Rain and fog in plains
The plains of North India, including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan, experienced rain and dense fog, leading to a significant drop in temperatures.
In Delhi, the rainfall was the highest for December in 101 years, recording 41.2 mm in 24 hours. Hailstorms in parts of Rajasthan added to the cold, while many districts in Uttar Pradesh saw rain that prompted school closures in four areas.
