The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the severe winter chill gripping large parts of Northern and Central India will persist for the next several days. Residents in states including Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana should brace for continued cold wave conditions until at least January 9, with some areas experiencing it until January 11.
State-Wise Forecast and Temperature Drop
The weather agency predicts a gradual fall in minimum temperatures by 2-3 degrees Celsius over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi during the next two days. Following this initial drop, temperatures are expected to hold steady with no significant change for the subsequent five days. The IMD has specifically warned of cold day to severe cold day conditions in isolated pockets over Rajasthan on January 7.
Cold wave conditions are considered "very likely" in isolated pockets of several key regions:
- Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi: Till January 9.
- Rajasthan: Till January 11.
- Chhattisgarh: Till January 8.
- Odisha: During January 7-9.
- Madhya Pradesh: On January 7 & 8.
- Vidarbha and Jharkhand: During January 6-8.
Dense Fog Warnings and Regional Impact
Alongside the cold, dense to very dense fog is expected to disrupt morning hours across multiple states. The IMD's fog alert spans isolated pockets over Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh till January 10, and East Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh till January 8. Other regions under fog warning include Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Bihar, and several northeastern states like Assam and Meghalaya until around January 10-12.
The cold has begun to impact daily life and administration. In Tripura, the IMD office in Agartala predicted a dip in minimum temperature, leading the state government to order the closure of all schools from January 6 to 10 due to the extreme cold. In Jharkhand, a 'yellow' alert has been issued for districts including Garhwa, Palamu, and Latehar until January 7.
Extended Forecast for Other Regions
The chilling weather is also intensifying in other parts of the country. Southern districts of West Bengal are likely to see the cold wave deepen further, with temperatures falling by another 2 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and Thursday. The IMD has also forecast ground frost conditions in isolated pockets over Uttarakhand until January 7.
With the IMD's alert in force, authorities are advising citizens, especially vulnerable groups, to take necessary precautions against the biting cold and low visibility caused by fog. The persistent cold wave conditions mark a significant weather event for North and Central India in the first week of the new year.
