Plunging temperatures grip Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir as fog and cold waves disrupt daily life across North India.
New Delhi, January 2: Delhi witnessed its third consecutive day of biting cold on Wednesday, with temperatures plummeting across the city and the maximum temperature settling at 15°C, 4°C below normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The minimum temperature remained at 7.4°C, staying within normal ranges, while the cold wave conditions persisted across North India, significantly disrupting daily life.
Chilly Winds Grip Delhi
- At Safdarjung, the maximum temperature was recorded at 15°C, 4.3°C below normal.
- The Palam weather station noted even lower temperatures, with a maximum of 12.8°C, 2°C below the seasonal average.
In response to the ongoing cold wave, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has established 235 temporary night shelters (pagoda tents) across key areas such as AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and Nizamuddin flyover, offering refuge to the homeless.
Residents of Delhi were seen gathering around bonfires, seeking warmth as the city remained under a thick blanket of cold winds and fog.
Winter Chill Across North India
The cold wave extended its grip beyond Delhi:
- In Rajasthan, temperatures in Jaipur plummeted to 7.2°C, while Bikaner and Churu recorded 7°C and 6°C, respectively.
- In Uttar Pradesh, Ayodhya was enveloped in a dense fog cover, with temperatures recorded at 9°C in Meerut and 10°C in Lucknow.
- In Jammu & Kashmir, sub-zero temperatures prevailed:
- Srinagar: -1.5°C
- Gulmarg: -2.4°C
- Pahalgam: -6°C
- Banihal: 0.4°C
- Kupwara: 0.4°C
The surface of the iconic Dal Lake in Srinagar remained frozen, offering a picturesque but harsh reminder of the region’s winter extremes.
New Year Amid Winter Chill
Despite freezing conditions, temples and religious sites across India witnessed heavy footfall on New Year’s Day.
- In Delhi, devotees thronged temples such as Pracheen Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place and Jhandewalan Temple for early morning prayers.
- Ayodhya, Haridwar, Mathura, Varanasi, and Ajmer saw similar devotion-filled gatherings despite the cold wave.
The IMD has advised caution for residents across North India, urging them to take necessary precautions to combat the harsh weather conditions as the cold wave is expected to persist in the coming days.
