IMD Issues Yellow Alerts in Odisha, Telangana, Karnataka Amid Cold Wave

A sharp cold wave tightened its grip across northern, central, and eastern India on Friday, December 12, 2025, with sub-zero temperatures returning to Kashmir, Rohtang Pass closed for vehicular traffic, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing yellow alerts in multiple states. The IMD has forecast above-normal cold wave days for the December–February winter season, driven by persistent northwesterly winds and clear night skies.

In Kashmir Valley, minimum temperatures plunged below freezing for the second consecutive night. Srinagar recorded -2.9°C on Thursday night—nearly three degrees below normal—while Gulmarg dipped to -6.8°C and Pahalgam to -5.4°C. Water supply lines froze in several areas, and locals relied heavily on traditional kangris and hamams to keep warm. The 40-day harsh winter period known as Chillai-Kalan is still two weeks away, but early cold has already disrupted daily life.

Himachal Pradesh’s high-altitude Rohtang Pass (13,050 ft) was officially closed for all traffic on Thursday evening after fresh snowfall and the formation of black ice, stranding several tourist vehicles earlier in the week. The Lahaul-Spiti administration has advised against travel beyond Keylong until conditions improve, while the Manali-Leh highway remains shut at multiple points.

Also Read: Bristol Museum Heist: 600+ Artefacts Taken From Offsite Facility, CCTV Images Out

In the plains, Odisha shivered under an unusual early cold spell, with minimum temperatures dropping below 10°C at 15 locations across 11 districts. Daringbadi in Kandhamal recorded 5°C, while Phulbani and Koraput hovered around 7°C. The IMD issued yellow warnings for cold wave conditions in districts including Anugul, Sundargarh, Kalahandi, Koraput, and Kendrapara through Saturday.

Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are likely to persist over isolated pockets of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, Marathwada, and north interior Karnataka until December 14, with Telangana also under watch till the same date. Night temperatures in these regions are running 3–5°C below normal, accompanied by dense morning fog that has reduced visibility to under 200 metres in cities like Raipur, Nagpur, and Bhopal.

Delhi-NCR woke up to a thick blanket of smog laced with biting cold, with the minimum temperature settling at 6.8°C and air quality remaining in the “very poor” category. The IMD has forecast shallow to moderate fog and cold day conditions over the capital for the next 48 hours, with maximum temperatures struggling to cross 20°C. Rail and flight schedules have already started seeing delays due to low visibility.

Also Read: Japan Hit by 6.7-Magnitude Tremor; Tsunami Advisory Issued for Coastal Areas