Delhi witnessed light rainfall on Thursday, improving air quality levels significantly. The cold wave continued, adding to the winter chill in the nation’s capital. States like Rajasthan and Meghalaya experienced dense fog, with sporadic visibility reaching zero on Wednesday night. Objects beyond a meter were hardly visible in these areas due to the fog.
Orange alert issued in Himachal Pradesh
The Met department has issued an orange alert for Himachal Pradesh, warning of severe cold and snowfall in some places. The neighboring states of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab are under red alert for cold wave conditions.
Western disturbance likely to bring rain and snow
The western disturbance is expected to affect north-west and central India on December 27 and 28, and moderate rains, thundershowers and hail are likely Himachal Pradesh could experience heavy cold on December 28.
Cold wave grips northern India
Several parts of northern India had been hit by severe cold on Thursday.
- Kashmir Valley: The minimum temperature plunged to several degrees below freezing, freezing pipes and water bodies including Dal Lake.
- Srinagar recorded -7°C on Wednesday night, a slight improvement from -7.3°C last night.
- Gulmarg recorded -6°C, while Pahalgam fell to a bone-chilling 8.6°C.
- Qazigund recorded -7°C, while Kokernag recorded the coldest temperature at -9°C.
- Himachal Pradesh is likely to witness snowfall at higher altitudes from December 27. Shimla will record a snowfall of 14.8°C and Kufri 9.8°C.
Dense fog and rain in Rajasthan
Dense fog and rain continue to affect parts of Rajasthan:
- Temperature drops: Fatehpur recorded the state’s lowest temperature at 3.8°C, followed by Churu (5°C) and Pilani (5.7°C).
- Rainfall forecast: Due to the new western disturbance, cities like Jaipur, Ajmer, and Udaipur are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall.
Chill persists across Punjab and Haryana
Punjab and Haryana remain under cold wave conditions. Chandigarh recorded a minimum temperature of 7.3°C on Thursday. Officials predict severe cold to continue in the coming days.
Travel advisory
The prevailing weather conditions, including rain, fog, and snowfall, may affect transportation and daily activities in affected regions. Travelers are advised to stay updated and take necessary precautions.
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