Cold waves and fog conditions have eased across North India, but a fresh cold wave is expected to hit Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi starting January 14.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), temperatures in northwest and central India are set to drop by 3-5 degrees Celsius from January 14, while eastern India will see a decrease of 2-3 degrees Celsius from January 15. No significant relief is anticipated until at least January 17.
IMD scientist Soma Sen Roy indicated that cold wave conditions are likely to return in northwest India from January 15-16. She noted that current temperature rises are due to a western disturbance, but isolated cold waves are expected as the season progresses.
IMD predicts a fresh cold wave to hit Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi from January 14, with temperatures plunging by up to 5 degrees Celsius.Weather expert Navdeep Dahiya, who initially flagged the issue, predicted temperatures could plummet to -4 degrees Celsius in the plains, with a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius. The severe chill is anticipated to peak between January 16 and 18.
Recent weeks have seen severe cold waves in North India, though temperatures rose slightly on Wednesday. Delhi experienced its longest cold wave spell in a decade from January 5 to 9. In Rajasthan, Fatehpur and Churu recorded minimum temperatures of -1.8 and -1.5 degrees Celsius, respectively, on January 5.
On January 19, IMD forecasts a partly cloudy sky in Delhi, with minimum temperatures around 9.8 degrees Celsius and maximum temperatures around 21 degrees Celsius. Fog has led to delays in several flights from Delhi airports.
In Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, snowfall continues, with Kothi village in Kullu receiving 14 cm of snow. Rainfall is also expected in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and surrounding areas. The Srinagar-Jammu national highway is currently closed due to weather conditions.