Brace for Chill: Rain and Cold Wave Sweep Through North India, Delhi-NCR on Alert

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a weather alert for today signaling a significant shift in the weather across the country. A rain alert has been announced for several states including Delhi-NCR, West Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Jharkhand. This shift will also bring a sharp decrease in temperatures and a wave of severe cold expected to intensify in the coming days. According to the IMD, light to moderate rain is predicted across much of North India, including Delhi, where the cold will be compounded by showers. The department has also forecasted an increase in cold temperatures across other states over the next couple of days along with snowfall in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

The capital, Delhi experienced the coldest morning of the season on Saturday with a minimum temperature of 7.1°C which is three degrees below the average for this time of year. Despite the chill the maximum temperature reached 25.4°C at Safdarjung. The IMD has predicted partly cloudy weather in the capital for Sunday with light fog in the morning and evening alongside the possibility of light rain. The maximum temperature is expected to be 24°C with a minimum of 8°C. In Jharkhand, light rain is expected on Sunday and Monday with temperatures likely to drop by 3-4°C in the next 48 hours. In Rajasthan Sikar recorded a chilling 5°C on Friday night while Mount Abu the state’s only hill station also saw a minimum of 5°C.

In Srinagar, the mercury plunged to a frosty -4.1°C on Saturday and temperatures are expected to fall further with rain forecasted in the region. The effects of the Western Disturbance which will influence the western Himalayan region and surrounding plains from December 8, are expected to bring increased cold weather. Light to moderate rain will impact areas such as Jharkhand and there are chances of rain or snowfall in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts until December 10. The IMD has urged citizens to prepare for a sudden dip in temperatures as the combination of rain and cold wave conditions continues to affect large parts of the country.