IMD warns of cold wave gripping northwest and central India as temperatures drop

Over the coming days, temperatures in Delhi and other areas of northwest and central India are expected to gradually drop, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

“Cold wave conditions are expected in isolated areas of Punjab and Haryana-Chandigarh from December 31 to January 2 and in Rajasthan from December 30 to January 2,” reads the official statement released by IMD.

“Cold day conditions are also forecasted in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan on December 29, and in Punjab and Haryana-Chandigarh on December 30,” it added.

For the next two days, Punjab and Haryana are expected to see dense to very dense fog, which could impair visibility and cause traffic delays, according to the IMD.

In some locations, dense fog is predicted for late at night and early in the morning.

There will be heavy fog in Himachal Pradesh from December 29 to January 1, while Rajasthan is expected to see heavy fog on December 30 and 31.

Northeastern provinces, including Assam and Meghalaya, are also expected to experience dense fog until January 2.

According to IMD scientist Dr Naresh Kumar, temperatures should decrease by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius in many regions.

“Temperatures will fall gradually from today. We are expecting temperatures to fall by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius in many parts of northwest India and central India,” Kumar said.

The IMD predicts that although temperatures have been higher than usual for this time of year, they will drop to normal levels in the days ahead.

“We are expecting cold conditions today, especially over the Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana regions,” he said.

However, he emphasized that “no cold wave” is expected in Delhi at this stage.

As temperatures continue to drop in the national capital on Dec 29, a large number of homeless individuals are spending the night in shelters built by the government as the city continues to struggle with extreme weather.

The IMD reports that Delhi's minimum temperature has fallen to 12°Celsius. On Dec 29, Delhi, the nation's capital, was enveloped in a thin layer of fog.

To help the homeless, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) constructed 235 pagoda tents.