As Karnataka gears up for Christmas and New Year festivities, a sharp winter chill has descended across the state, bringing with it dense fog and significantly lower temperatures. The cold spell, one of the most intense this season, is disrupting daily life and holiday travel, particularly in the southern interior districts including Bengaluru.
Discrepancy in Data, Unanimity on Chill
While the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) have reported varying minimum temperature figures for Bengaluru, both agencies agree on the severity of the drop. KSNDMC data shows Bengaluru Urban and Rural shivering at 8.5°C and 8.7°C respectively. In contrast, the IMD observatory on Palace Road recorded 14.4°C, and the HAL airport station noted 14.1°C.
Meteorologists from both organizations are unanimous in their assessment that minimum temperatures have fallen 2-3 degrees Celsius below the normal range. They further predict a dip of another degree or two over the weekend, with the chilly conditions likely to persist until the end of the month.
Fog Disrupts Travel, State-Wide Temperature Plunge
The early morning fog has become a major concern for commuters. In Bengaluru Rural, dense fog between 4 am and 9:30 am has severely reduced visibility, making driving hazardous on several key routes. Affected highways include:
- NH-648
- NH-48
- Yelahanka-Gauribidanur state highway
An IMD scientist stated, "Clear skies will continue over Bengaluru, with a dense blanket of fog and mist during mornings. While the city’s outskirts with thick vegetation are likely to record minimum temperatures below 10°C, areas in and around the central business district will see minimum temperatures between 12°C and 13°C."
The cold wave is not confined to Bengaluru. A significant temperature plunge has been recorded across Karnataka, with northern interior districts experiencing the sharpest dip. Bidar recorded the season's lowest minimum at 5.3°C on Friday night, followed by Belagavi at 5.9°C and Dharwad at 6.4°C.
Widespread Chill Across Districts
Data indicates that the cold spell is extensive. Districts such as Vijayanagara, Vijayapura, Bagalkote, Gadag, Haveri, and Kalaburagi have reported minimum temperatures ranging between 6.5°C and 8°C. This confirms that the winter grip is widespread across the state's interior, affecting numerous regions rather than isolated pockets.
With the festive season in full swing, residents and travelers are advised to prepare for continued cold weather, plan morning travel accounting for fog-related delays, and take necessary precautions against the chill. The authorities continue to monitor the situation as Karnataka experiences one of its coldest phases this winter.
