Residents across Delhi-NCR and vast swathes of northern India woke up to a severe cold wave on Sunday, 11 January, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting no immediate relief. In a stark contrast, southern parts of the country, particularly Chennai and Tamil Nadu, are bracing for heavy rainfall and squally weather.
North India Gripped by Intense Cold and Dense Fog
The national capital set a chilling benchmark on Saturday, recording its coldest January morning in two years. The minimum temperature plunged to a biting 4.6 degrees Celsius. The IMD's latest update states that cold wave conditions will persist over Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, and Odisha on Sunday, 11 January, and Monday, 12 January.
No significant change in the minimum temperature is expected over northwest India and Madhya Pradesh in the coming days. Similar harsh conditions are also forecast for Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and north interior Karnataka on Sunday.
Adding to the woes, dense to very dense fog has enveloped many regions, severely reducing visibility during morning hours. The fog warning covers Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Eastern and northeastern states, including West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, are also expected to experience dense fog.
Southern Shift: Heavy Rainfall Alert for Tamil Nadu Coast
While the north shivers, the weather narrative flips dramatically in the south. Under the influence of a depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal, heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast for parts of Tamil Nadu. The IMD has also predicted thunderstorms and lightning over the state, Puducherry, and Karaikal.
Chennai witnessed misty conditions and overcast skies on Sunday morning. The forecast indicates moderate rain with thunderstorms for isolated places over Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, and Thiruvallur. Many other districts in Tamil Nadu are likely to see light to moderate rains.
Coastal Warnings for Fishermen
The IMD has issued a significant warning for coastal areas. Squally weather with wind speeds reaching 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, is expected along the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast, leading to rough sea conditions. Consequently, fishermen have been strongly advised not to venture into the southwest Bay of Bengal, Gulf of Mannar, and adjoining areas.
The twin weather extremes highlight a diverse and active winter pattern across the Indian subcontinent, with northern citizens bundling up against the cold while southern coastal regions prepare for a wet spell.
