Delhi records season's coldest day at 3.2°C
What's the story
Delhi and several northern states of India are reeling under a cold wave, with temperatures dropping to their season's lowest. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued cold wave alerts and warned of dense fog in the region over the next few days. On Monday, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 3.2 degrees Celsius, leading to school closures in some areas.
Weather forecast
IMD forecasts continued cold wave conditions
The IMD has predicted that minimum temperatures will remain 3-5 degrees below normal across Delhi and surrounding areas for the next three days. Severe cold wave conditions are also likely over Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand on January 12 and 13. Dense fog is also expected in northwest India and Bihar for the next five days.
Regional impact
Northern states experience sub-zero temperatures
Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand have reported sub-zero temperatures. Punjab and Haryana also saw mercury levels hovering near freezing. Bathinda recorded 1.6 degrees Celsius, while Hisar was at 2.2 degrees Celsius. Rajasthan witnessed severe cold, with Pratapgarh recording minus two degrees Celsius. Jharkhand saw temperatures dip below 10 degrees Celsius in eight districts. Schools in Ranchi district have been shut for students up to class six till January 14 due to the extreme weather conditions.
Ongoing chill
Kashmir experiences extreme cold spell
Meanwhile, Kashmir is currently under the grip of 'Chilla-i-Kalan,' a 40-day period of extreme cold. Srinagar recorded minus 5.2 degrees Celsius, while Shopian was at minus 8.6 degrees Celsius. Dense fog has also caused travel disruptions and accidents in Bihar, where two people were killed in an accident on Bakhtiyarpur-Mokama highway on Monday due to poor visibility conditions caused by fog.