Cold Wave Alert: Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal to Remain Freezing

Northern India, including the national capital, is bracing for a further intensification of winter as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a cold wave warning valid for the next few days. Unusually, temperatures in the plains, particularly Delhi-NCR, have already dipped below those recorded in several hilly regions such as Shimla, highlighting the severity of the ongoing cold spell.

According to the IMD, minimum temperatures across Delhi and surrounding areas are expected to remain significantly below normal, with cold wave conditions likely to persist through at least mid-week. Parts of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh have also been placed under the cold wave alert. The plains are witnessing sharper drops compared to higher altitudes, an anomaly attributed to clear skies, calm winds, and the absence of any significant western disturbance to bring relief.

In Delhi-NCR, the minimum temperature hovered around 2.9–4 degrees Celsius in recent nights, with some stations recording their lowest in several years. Forecasters predict a further decline in the coming days, with no immediate signs of moderation. Dense fog has been reported in isolated pockets, reducing visibility and adding to the discomfort for residents.

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The IMD has advised people, especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and those with respiratory conditions, to take precautions against the extreme cold. Authorities have urged limited outdoor exposure during early morning and late evening hours, along with the use of adequate warm clothing and heating measures.

This severe winter phase comes amid ongoing concerns over air quality, as low temperatures and stagnant conditions continue to trap pollutants, pushing the Air Quality Index into the ‘poor’ category in many areas. As the cold wave deepens, northern India remains under a prolonged grip of sub-zero-like chill, with residents and authorities preparing for what could be one of the coldest stretches of the season.

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