A severe cold wave intensified across northern parts of India on Sunday, bringing a sharp dip in temperatures. The higher altitudes of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh received fresh snowfall, while the plains were blanketed by dense fog and scattered rain.
Snowfall Ushers in Chillai-Kalan in Jammu & Kashmir
The iconic 40-day period of intense winter cold, known as Chillai-Kalan, commenced in Jammu and Kashmir with fresh snowfall. The popular tourist destination of Gulmarg recorded nearly two inches of snow accumulation. It was also the coldest spot in the Valley, with the mercury dropping to a frigid minus 1.5°C. Sonamarg witnessed continuous snowfall through the day.
Interestingly, despite the snow, Srinagar experienced its warmest night of this season so far, with a minimum temperature of 4°C, which is six degrees above the normal for this time. However, the adverse weather disrupted air travel, leading to the cancellation of at least 11 flights at Srinagar International Airport.
Himachal Pradesh Sees Snow and Dry Spell
Himachal Pradesh faced biting cold as snow covered the high-altitude regions of Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba districts. Key areas like Shinku La, Rohtang Pass, and parts of Pangi Valley reported snowfall, with flakes later seen near the Atal Tunnel. The light snowfall at Shinku La, situated at around 5,000 metres, attracted a large number of tourists to this emerging snow tourism spot.
In contrast, the mid and lower hills of the state remained under dense cloud cover, exacerbating a dry spell. Himachal Pradesh is currently facing a 100% rainfall deficit for this month. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for moderate to severe snowstorms at isolated places in Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts.
Plains Choked by Dense Fog, Temperatures Plummet
The winter chill deepened across the plains of North India. Thick fog enveloped several areas in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, significantly reducing visibility and pushing down temperatures.
Narnaul in Haryana was the coldest place in the state at 5.2°C, while Gurdaspur in Punjab recorded a low of 6.8°C. In Uttar Pradesh and isolated parts of Uttarakhand, dense to very dense fog reduced visibility to under 50 metres, leading to cold day to severe cold day conditions. The national capital, Delhi, recorded a minimum temperature of 9.4°C, slightly above the average, a day after experiencing the season's coldest December day.
The IMD has forecast that this wintry pattern will persist, with continued snowfall, rain, and fog predicted across much of north India over the next 24 to 48 hours, offering little respite from the cold onslaught.
