Severe Cold Wave Tightens Grip on North India, IMD Warns of Freezing Temperatures and Dense Fog

Delhi: Large parts of northern India are set to endure an intense spell of winter as freezing conditions continue to tighten their grip over several states. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that cold wave and severe cold wave conditions are likely to persist over the coming days, bringing discomfort and potential risks to daily life.

According to the latest weather assessment, regions including Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jharkhand are expected to experience unusually low temperatures. In some areas, the cold spell may stretch beyond midweek, making this one of the harshest winter phases of the season.

The IMD has indicated that isolated pockets in Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and western Uttar Pradesh could face severe cold wave conditions. States such as Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and parts of Gujarat’s Saurashtra and Kutch regions are also likely to remain under cold wave influence. Jharkhand, in particular, may see the cold linger for several days.

An unusual weather pattern has emerged this winter, with plains turning colder than hill stations. While hill cities like Shimla are expected to record moderate minimum temperatures, several areas in the plains are witnessing sharper drops. Delhi is likely to experience near-freezing nights, with minimum temperatures hovering close to 3–4°C, even as daytime temperatures remain subdued.

Adding to the chill, dense fog is expected to blanket many northern and eastern states during the early morning and night hours. Parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand may face reduced visibility, which could disrupt road, rail, and air travel for several days.

While no major rainfall or snowfall is forecast in the immediate future, the IMD has cautioned that prolonged exposure to extreme cold can pose serious health risks, especially for children, the elderly, and those with existing medical conditions. Cold-related issues such as flu, breathing discomfort, numbness, and in severe cases frostbite, may increase during this period.