Vikrant Shekhawat : Jan 02, 2025, 09:08 AM
Weather Update Today: With the beginning of the new year, winter has gained momentum. Severe cold in different parts of the country is affecting normal life. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the temperature may drop further in some areas of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh in the next 24 hours. "Cold Day" conditions may persist in these states for the next two days.Severe cold in Rajasthan and North IndiaCold has disrupted normal life in Rajasthan. The minimum temperature in Jaipur on Wednesday morning was recorded at 7.2 degrees Celsius, while in Bikaner and Churu it was 7 and 6 degrees Celsius respectively.Severe cold continues to prevail in Jammu and Kashmir. The temperature in Srinagar dropped to -1.5°C, in Gulmarg to -2.4°C, and in Pahalgam to -6°C. The surface of Dal Lake has started freezing, causing difficulty to locals and tourists.Dense fog alertThe Meteorological Department has issued a dense fog warning in several states including Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.Punjab and Haryana: Dense fog likely late night and morning.Northeastern states: Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura will be affected by dense fog till January 6.Reduced visibility due to fog may affect road and rail traffic.Cold winds and fog in DelhiCold winds continue in the national capital Delhi.Wind speed: 14-18 kmph, which may decrease to 8 kmph by evening.Temperature: Maximum expected to be around 18°C and minimum around 9°C.Light fog is likely during the evening and night, which may affect traffic.Snowfall and rain alert in HimachalSnowfall and rain are forecast in Himachal Pradesh between January 4 and 7.Heavy snowfall: Snowfall may occur in hilly areas like Manali, Kufri and Dalhousie.Heavy rain: Heavy rain is expected in the lower areas of the state on January 5 and 6.This weather may be exciting for tourists, but it may increase difficulties for local residents.Precautions and preparationsTraffic: Drive slowly during dense fog and use fog lights.Health: Wear warm clothes and take enough hot drinks to protect yourself from the cold.Travel planning: Check the weather forecast while planning a trip to hilly areas like Himachal.ConclusionThe new year has started with an intense outbreak of cold. Severe cold, dense fog, and snowfall in areas like Himachal have affected life in many parts of the country. Follow the advice of the Meteorological Department and stay safe. It is necessary to take precautions during this period of winter, so that the cold can be enjoyed without any trouble.