The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a comprehensive weather warning today, highlighting significant climatic shifts across the country. According to the department, a sharp decline in minimum temperatures is being observed from the northern mountainous regions to Central and Eastern India. The active Western Disturbance in the Himalayan region, combined with cold north-westerly winds, has brought North India under a severe cold spell.
The impact of this weather transition is expected to persist for the next few days. In Central India, night temperatures are dropping, accompanied by increasing chill and humidity levels.
North India Under Dense Fog
A thick blanket of fog engulfed Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and northern Rajasthan during the early morning hours. Visibility in several areas plummeted to between 50 and 200 meters, significantly affecting both road and rail transport networks. While the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are experiencing increased cloud cover and cold winds, the plains are witnessing conditions akin to a cold wave. The IMD predicts that minimum temperatures in these regions could dip further over the next 48 hours.
Chill Intensifies in Central India
Central India is also witnessing a steady decline in mercury levels. Several districts in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, and Marathwada recorded night temperatures 2 to 4 degrees Celsius below normal. Cities like Gwalior, Bhopal, and Indore are experiencing a sharper chill due to shifting wind patterns. Although parts of Maharashtra saw mild sunshine during the day, humidity and cold levels remained high. The IMD noted that while there are no signs of a major rain system active in Central India, rapid changes in wind patterns are driving the temperature drop.
Fog and Visibility Issues in the East
In Eastern India, fog intensity has increased across Bihar and Jharkhand, leading to reduced visibility in the early hours. West Bengal and Odisha are also experiencing a downward trend in temperatures. Kolkata and surrounding districts have reported higher humidity levels, though the likelihood of rain remains low. The weather in Northeast India remains largely normal, although higher altitude areas in Nagaland, Manipur, and Meghalaya are reporting increased cold.
Southern Peninsula Remains Mostly Dry
Weather conditions in South India remained predominantly dry, with exceptions in the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Kerala, which recorded light rainfall. A weak cyclonic flow in the Bay of Bengal has increased moisture levels in some districts of Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile, temperatures in Karnataka and Telangana hovered around normal levels. The IMD forecasts only light rain in the southern region over the next 24 hours, with no major weather changes expected.
Major Alert for Commuters
Amidst these countrywide changes, the IMD has issued its most significant alert regarding fog. The department stated that dense fog could severely impact travel and transport in North India, central Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and parts of Punjab over the next three days. Vulnerable populations have been advised to remain cautious due to the prevailing cold wave-like conditions. The department added that the cold spell in North and Central India is likely to intensify by the middle of the week.
