Cold wave conditions prevail across North and East India for the fourth consecutive day, with temperatures dropping and dense fog reducing visibility in many cities. It has affected train and flight schedules. In Jammu and Kashmir, fresh snowfall has added to the intensity of the cold wave across the Kashmir region impacting normal life. The minimum temperature in Srinagar was recorded as 0.8 degrees Celsius. The Kashmir region is currently reeling under the 40-day harshest winter period “Chillai Kalan” since December 21 last year. Vehicular traffic on Srinagar Jammu National Highway is through, after the accumulated snow was cleared from the highway stretches between Qazigund and Banihal. The Srinagar Kargil Road is closed to vehicular traffic. Mughal Road connecting Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu Division is closed for the 9th consecutive day due to snow accumulation. The Administration has urged the public, tourists and transporters to cooperate as per the instructions in the advisories to avoid any kind of exigency.
Ladakh experienced a generally cloudy sky with the possibility of snowfall at scattered places, including Kargil, Leh, Gilgit, and Skardu. The Srinagar to Kargil road and the Kargil to Zanskar road are blocked due to heavy snowfall.
In West Bengal, around 60 flights were delayed at the Kolkata airport today due to poor visibility. Low visibility procedures (LVP) had to be implemented at the airport.
The Jharkhand government has announced the closure of schools from January 7-13 in view of a cold wave sweeping the eastern state. The Bihar government also ordered the closure of all government and private schools up to Class 8 till January 11.
Cold weather conditions continued at many places in Haryana and Punjab yesterday. Narnaul in Haryana recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 6.8 degrees Celsius, while Bathinda in Punjab recorded 7.4 degrees Celsius.
Thunderstorms with rainfall today lashed parts of Delhi this morning, bringing down the temperature in the national capital. According to the India Meteorological Department, a 9-degree Celsius temperature was recorded in Delhi this morning. Dense fog conditions were witnessed in Delhi-NCR this morning, affecting traffic and rail operations. The low visibility also caused several flight cancellations and diversions.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in isolated parts of Himachal Pradesh today. Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar, Jharkhand, and the northeastern regions of the country can experience dense fog in the night and morning hours for the next 2 days.
In Uttarakhand, the Met Department predicted fresh snowfall in regions situated at an altitude of more than 3,300 meters. Light rainfall is also likely in some lower areas. The department has predicted clear weather in most parts of the state tomorrow.
