Delhi Gripped by Intense Cold Wave and Dense Fog
Delhi residents woke up to another bitterly cold morning on Wednesday. The mercury plunged to a chilling 5 degrees Celsius. Dense fog blanketed the city, severely reducing visibility. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a stern warning. It forecasts at least two to three more days of severe cold wave conditions over the national capital.
IMD's Detailed Forecast for Delhi
The weather agency released a specific bulletin for the coming days. It predicts cold wave to severe cold wave conditions in many parts of Delhi on January 14th and 15th. Isolated pockets may experience cold wave conditions on January 16th as well. After this period, the intense chill is expected to gradually abate.
For today, January 14th, the IMD forecasts cold wave conditions at a few places. Shallow to moderate fog will likely persist during the morning hours. The temperature range presents a stark contrast. Maximum temperatures will hover between 19°C and 21°C. Minimum temperatures will remain much lower, ranging from 3°C to 5°C.
The IMD notes that minimum temperatures are appreciably below normal at many locations. They are 3.1 to 5.0 degrees below the average. Maximum temperatures, however, will remain near normal levels over the city.
Health Warnings and Dense Fog Alert
Prolonged exposure to this cold poses significant health risks. The IMD has warned of an increased likelihood of illnesses. These include flu, running or stuffy noses, and even nosebleeds. The cold weather can trigger new symptoms or aggravate existing conditions.
The fog situation remains critical. The IMD predicts dense to very dense fog in some parts of Delhi until January 15th. Visibility may drop to less than 50 meters during morning hours. Dense fog, with visibility between 50 and 199 meters, is likely in isolated pockets until January 20th.
Impact on Travel and Broader Regional Forecast
Despite the dense fog, flight operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport were reportedly normal early Wednesday morning. Airport authorities confirmed that Low Visibility Procedures were active. They stated all flight operations were proceeding normally at 8:00 AM.
The cold wave is not confined to Delhi alone. The IMD has extended its alert to several other states. Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions will continue for the next 2-3 days over:
- Himachal Pradesh
- Punjab
- Haryana
- Rajasthan
- Jharkhand
- Odisha
These conditions are also expected to abate after this period. Dense fog will blanket Haryana, Punjab, and Chandigarh until January 15th. It will likely continue in a dense form until January 20th. Northwest India and Bihar will experience dense fog conditions for the next five to six days.
Residents across these regions are advised to take necessary precautions. Wearing warm clothing and limiting early morning exposure is essential. The IMD continues to monitor the situation closely for any updates.
