Severe cold weather, combined with dense fog, has taken a grip on North India, causing disruptions in train services and vehicular movement. The iconic Dal Lake in Srinagar witnessed the formation of a thin layer of ice, adding to the challenges posed by the cold wave. The minimum temperature in the national capital, Delhi, settled slightly above normal at 8.3 degrees Celsius, and the India Meteorological Department reported dense to moderate fog in isolated pockets of the city. The adverse weather conditions led to delays in train services, with 26 Delhi-bound trains experiencing delays of one to six hours. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was categorized as ‘very poor,’ with a reading of 346 at 6:30 am, according to Central Pollution Control Board data. Notably, December 2023 marked the warmest December in Delhi in six years, with no recorded ‘coldwave days’ during the month.
Rajasthan also experienced dense fog, impacting visibility and disrupting traffic. The morning fog caused delays in various modes of transportation, including flights, with Jaipur airport reporting visibility at 50 meters. Cold conditions prevailed in parts of the state, with the minimum temperature dropping to 4.5 degrees Celsius in Sikar and 6.8 degrees Celsius in Jaipur. Similar cold weather conditions were observed in Punjab and Haryana, affecting cities like Bathinda and Patiala. The residents of the Kashmir Valley faced extreme cold, with the minimum temperature dropping to minus 4.8 degrees Celsius, resulting in the freezing of Dal Lake. The harshest winter period, known as ‘Chilla-i-Kalan,’ has taken hold in Kashmir, bringing freezing temperatures and the possibility of heavy snowfall.
In Uttar Pradesh, dry weather persisted, but some areas experienced dense to very dense fog. Cold wave conditions were reported in parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, impacting day temperatures in various divisions. Shahjahanpur recorded the lowest temperature in the state at 5.2 degrees Celsius, while Banda registered the highest temperature at 22.6 degrees Celsius. The challenging weather conditions have prompted cautionary measures, such as the closure of petrol pumps in Kerala to protest attacks on employees and a plea from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for people to avoid crowding Ayodhya during the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol on January 22.
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