The winter chill is making a dramatic comeback as dense fog and icy winds sweep across northern India. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fresh weather alert, predicting rain and a significant drop in temperatures across several states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
Delhi-NCR Shivers Under Dense Fog
Delhi-NCR woke up to thick fog on Monday, leading to disrupted traffic and poor visibility. The IMD has forecast cloudy skies with a chance of light drizzles throughout the day. The national capital is expected to record a maximum temperature of 22°C and a minimum of 9°C. On Sunday, the minimum temperature stood at 11.3°C, about 3°C above the seasonal average.
Western Disturbance to Trigger Rain in Rajasthan
A new western disturbance is set to impact Rajasthan, bringing rain to several parts of the state over the next two days. The IMD predicts that fresh western disturbances will become active between February 3 and 4, likely causing scattered rainfall in eastern and northern Rajasthan. The minimum temperature in Lunkaransar dropped to 4.4°C in the past 24 hours, signaling the return of severe cold.
Rain and Snow in Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu & Kashmir is witnessing intermittent rain in the plains and light snowfall in higher-altitude areas, including the popular tourist destinations of Gulmarg and Pahalgam. Official reports confirm that Gulmarg received 5.1 cm of snowfall, Pahalgam 2.8 cm, and Kupwara 2.5 cm. The IMD has predicted cloudy weather with scattered rain and snow over the next 24 hours.
Dry Weather to Persist in Andhra Pradesh
Unlike northern states, Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema are expected to experience dry conditions for the next seven days. The IMD has warned of fog in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema over the next 24 hours, while temperatures in Rayalaseema may remain 2-3°C above normal. The lowest minimum temperature recorded in Anantapur was 17.1°C.
Dense Fog Disrupts Flights in Kolkata
Severe fog disrupted air traffic at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata on Sunday morning. Poor visibility led to flight delays, forcing airport authorities to implement low-visibility procedures from 5:40 AM to 8:00 AM.
Rain Deficit in Himachal Pradesh Sparks Concern
Himachal Pradesh is facing a rainfall deficit, with January recording 84% less precipitation than usual. The state received only 13.3 mm of rain against the normal average of 85.3 mm, marking the ninth-lowest rainfall since 1901. The lack of adequate snowfall and rain has raised concerns about drought-like conditions.
With the western disturbance gaining strength, colder days lie ahead. People are advised to take necessary precautions as winter tightens its grip across northern and central India. Stay tuned for further updates on weather conditions.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
