IMD has in its bulletin also issued an orange warning for fog in the Delhi-NCR region for Thursday and Friday i.e. December 19 and 20.
Northern India continues to face the harsh impact of a cold wave, affecting states such as Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab, Telangana, Odisha, and Delhi. The snowfall in the hilly regions has amplified the chill across the plains. In Delhi, residents are grappling with a dual challenge of biting cold and severe pollution. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a significant alert regarding the ongoing cold weather conditions.
According to the IMD, the western disturbance near Pakistan, coupled with an induced cyclonic circulation, is causing winds to shift to an easterly and north-easterly direction. This has led to a slight increase in minimum temperatures. However, several locations in Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir are experiencing sub-zero temperatures. The lowest temperature was recorded in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul-Spiti, where the mercury dropped to a chilling -10.6 degree Celsius. In Srinagar, the minimum temperature was recorded at -3.4 degree Celsius.
Delhi Residents Advised to Wear Warm Clothes
The IMD predicts that the cold wave will persist in the national capital over the next few days. There is no likelihood of rain for now, although clouds may appear intermittently. Maximum temperatures in Delhi-NCR are expected to range between 20 and 22 degree Celsius until December 25, while minimum temperatures could drop to 8 to 10 degree Celsius, particularly during nighttime. Residents are advised to wear warm clothing to protect themselves from the biting cold. On Thursday, dense fog blanketed parts of Delhi, and the city recorded a minimum temperature of 7 degree Celsius.
The IMD has said that fog will continue to blanket Delhi today and tomorrow due to western disturbances from the Himalayas, according to an ANI report. IMD has in its bulletin also issued an orange warning for fog in the Delhi-NCR region for Thursday and Friday i.e. December 19 and 20.
#WATCH | A layer of fog covers parts of Delhi as the minimum temperature in the national capital is recorded at 7°C, as per IMD.
Visuals from Ashoka Road pic.twitter.com/o0Ry1HfOyV
— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2024
Rainfall likely in southern states
According to Skymet Weather, the next 24 hours may bring light to moderate rainfall along the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and southern Odisha, with some areas likely to experience heavy rainfall. Light to moderate showers are also expected in interior Tamil Nadu, south interior Karnataka, Rayalaseema, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. On December 20, parts of Odisha, southern Chhattisgarh, and southern Jharkhand may witness light to moderate rain.
Cold wave to persist in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan
The cold wave conditions are expected to continue in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. In Delhi-NCR, air quality is unlikely to improve significantly, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) remaining in the poor to very poor category.
