Cold Wave Intensifies: IMD Warns of Storms, Hail, and Snowfall in 12 States Until December 28

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The cold wave sweeping across the country has intensified, bringing extreme cold conditions. Continuous snowfall in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir has led to a significant drop in temperatures in the plains as well. Minimum temperatures in Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh have dropped below 10 degrees Celsius. On the night of December 21, Srinagar recorded its coldest night in 50 years, with temperatures plummeting to minus 8 degrees. Even the Dal Lake and areas near Badrinath Dham, including Urvashi Dhara, have frozen.

Warning of Rain and Hail in 12 States

Severe cold conditions persist in 14 districts of Madhya Pradesh, where temperatures are ranging between 3 and 8 degrees Celsius. Pachmarhi recorded the coldest temperature at 3.9 degrees. Other districts saw temperatures drop to 8.7 degrees. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for rainfall and hail in 12 states, anticipating significant weather changes. Due to the influence of a western disturbance, there is a possibility of rain and snowfall in the western Himalayan region. Rain is also expected in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Rajasthan. A stronger western disturbance could affect north-western India starting December 26.

The moisture from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal is expected to bring light to moderate rainfall and snowfall in the western Himalayan region between December 26 and 28. Alerts have been issued for strong storms and hail in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and several parts of north-western India during this period.

After light showers on Monday morning, the cold increased in Delhi-NCR, and a yellow alert has been issued for rain over the next three days. Dense fog is expected to follow, further increasing the cold. Currently, the maximum temperature in the capital is around 24°C, and the minimum temperature is 7°C. The cold wave in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir has intensified, and conditions may become more severe in regions like Ladakh. The northeastern states and eastern India are also expected to experience an increase in fog and cold weather.