North India Shivers as Season’s Coldest Spell Tightens Its Grip
Northern India is in the middle of its harshest cold spell of the season, with temperatures plunging sharply across several states. Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 3.2 degrees Celsius on Monday, the coldest so far this winter, sending residents scrambling for extra layers and prompting authorities to issue cold wave alerts.
From Rajasthan’s freezing nights to dense fog blanketing Bihar, large parts of north and northwest India are facing severe winter conditions that are disrupting daily life, travel, and school schedules.
Delhi Records Season’s Lowest Temperature
Cold Wave Conditions Intensify in the Capital
The national capital woke up to biting cold as the mercury dipped to 3.2 degrees Celsius, well below normal for this time of year. Chilly winds, combined with foggy mornings, made the cold feel even harsher.
Weather officials have warned that Delhi’s minimum temperatures are likely to remain 3 to 5 degrees below normal for the next three days. A slight rise is expected only later in the week, offering limited relief.
Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are expected to persist in parts of Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region, keeping mornings and nights uncomfortably cold.
Cold Wave Spreads Across Northern States
Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh See Freezing Lows
The cold wave has spread across much of northern India, with several states reporting near-freezing or sub-zero temperatures.
Punjab and Haryana witnessed sharp drops in temperature, with Bathinda recording 1.6 degrees Celsius, Hisar 2.2 degrees, and Narnaul 3 degrees. Dense fog during early morning hours reduced visibility, affecting road and rail movement.
Other parts of Punjab also reported chilly conditions. Faridkot recorded 2.9 degrees, Ludhiana 4.6 degrees, Patiala 3.8 degrees, Amritsar 3.2 degrees, and Gurdaspur 3.8 degrees Celsius.
Chandigarh recorded a low of 5 degrees, while Ambala, Faridabad, and Rohtak saw minimum temperatures of 5.5, 4.2, and 4 degrees Celsius respectively.
Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand continued to experience freezing temperatures, particularly in higher altitudes, with icy winds and frost affecting normal life.
Rajasthan Battles Severe Cold and Fog
Minus Temperatures Recorded in Several Districts
Rajasthan faced some of the harshest winter conditions, with temperatures dipping below zero in multiple districts. Pratapgarh recorded minus 2 degrees Celsius, while Barmer saw minus 1 degree.
Other parts of the state were equally cold. Pilani recorded 1.2 degrees, Sikar 1.7 degrees, and Churu 2 degrees Celsius.
Dense fog covered many districts during the morning hours, reducing visibility and making driving hazardous. The extreme cold has led residents to stay indoors, while farmers are concerned about frost damage to crops.
Jharkhand Sees School Closures Due to Cold
Temperatures Fall Below 10 Degrees in Multiple Districts
Jharkhand also experienced unusually cold conditions, with temperatures dropping below 10 degrees Celsius in at least eight districts.
Gumla recorded 2.8 degrees Celsius, Palmau (Daltonganj) 4.9 degrees, and Khunti 5.6 degrees. Ranchi and surrounding areas experienced chilly mornings and cold winds throughout the day.
In response to the cold wave, schools in Ranchi district have been closed for students up to class six until January 14. Classes for students from class seven to twelve will begin later in the morning, starting at 10 am.
A yellow alert has been issued for cold wave conditions in parts of Jharkhand from January 13 to 16.
Kashmir Remains Locked in ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’
Extreme Cold Continues Across the Valley
Kashmir is currently in the grip of Chilla-i-Kalan, the traditional 40-day period known for the coldest winter conditions of the year.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.2 degrees Celsius, while Shopian saw an even lower minus 8.6 degrees. Pahalgam recorded minus 7.6 degrees, and Gulmarg recorded minus 6.2 degrees Celsius.
Water bodies in several areas have frozen, and icy conditions have affected daily routines. Residents are relying heavily on heating systems as temperatures remain well below freezing.
Dense Fog Disrupts Life in Bihar
Accidents and Travel Disruptions Reported
Dense fog has been a major concern in Bihar, where visibility dropped sharply in several regions, especially during early morning and late-night hours.
On Monday, a tragic accident occurred on the Bakhtiyarpur-Mokama highway when an SUV collided with a container truck and then hit a car. A man and his daughter were killed, while four others sustained injuries.
Authorities have warned commuters to exercise extreme caution while travelling during foggy conditions.
Cold day conditions are expected to continue in isolated parts of Bihar until January 16.
Weather Outlook for the Coming Days
Cold and Fog to Persist
Meteorological officials have warned that the cold wave is likely to continue across large parts of northern India over the next few days.
Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are expected over Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand in the immediate future. Dense fog is likely to persist in northwest India and Bihar for the next five days.
While temperatures may rise slightly toward the end of the week, the overall winter chill is expected to remain.
Impact on Daily Life
Schools, Travel, and Health Affected
The severe cold has disrupted daily routines across northern India. School closures, delayed start times, and reduced outdoor activity have become common.
Fog has affected road, rail, and air travel, causing delays and increasing the risk of accidents. Health experts have advised people, especially children and the elderly, to stay warm and avoid early morning exposure.
Homeless shelters in cities like Delhi have seen increased occupancy as authorities try to protect vulnerable populations from the extreme cold.
A Harsh Reminder of Winter’s Power
The ongoing cold wave has brought northern India to a standstill in many ways, with record-low temperatures, dense fog, and freezing winds affecting millions of people.
As the region braces for a few more days of intense cold, authorities and residents alike are urged to stay alert, take precautions, and limit exposure where possible. Winter may be a familiar season, but this year’s cold spell has been a stark reminder of how severe it can become.
