North India Shivers as Cold Wave and Dense Fog Grip Region; Kashmir, Himachal See Fresh Snowfall

Cold conditions tightened their hold over Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir on Monday as the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) cold wave and dense fog alerts for north India came into effect. Shopian in south Kashmir emerged as the coldest location, plunging to –4.2°C.

The IMD had earlier predicted a cold wave across central, eastern and northern peninsular India starting December 9, with northwest and western India set to experience similar conditions between December 10 and 12.

Cold Wave Forecast Across States

According to the IMD’s latest bulletin:

• Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha will likely face cold wave conditions Dec 10–13.

• Punjab may experience similar conditions Dec 11–13.

• Vidarbha and Telangana will be affected on Dec 10 and 11.

• Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, north Rajasthan, Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada may see cold wave conditions Dec 12 and 13.

Dense fog is expected during early morning hours in isolated pockets of Assam and Manipur from Dec 10–14, and in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Odisha on Dec 10 and 11.

Minimum temperatures across the plains of northwest India are expected to fall by around 2°C over the next two days. This will be followed by steady readings for two days and a subsequent 2–4°C rise thereafter.

Kashmir, Himachal Receive Snow

Higher reaches of central Kashmir witnessed light snowfall, leaving stretches of the Srinagar–Leh national highway slippery. Srinagar recorded a minimum of –2.5°C overnight.

In Himachal Pradesh, cold wave conditions intensified in tribal districts as Rohtang Pass and several upper regions received fresh snow. The Manali–Leh road has been officially closed beyond Darcha due to hazardous conditions — an annual winter measure.