New Delhi – Northern India is experiencing an unusual weather phenomenon as the India Meteorological Department has confirmed that Delhi colder than Shimla conditions are prevailing across the region. The national capital and surrounding plains have recorded temperatures significantly lower than traditional hill stations, marking a remarkable reversal of typical winter patterns. The IMD has issued cold wave warnings for the next several days across multiple states including Delhi, NCR, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh.
According to the official bulletin released on Sunday, January 11, cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are very likely at isolated places across various northern states. The weather department has predicted that minimum temperatures in Delhi could plummet to 3-4.2 degrees Celsius on Monday, while maximum temperatures might hover between 18-20 degrees Celsius, creating challenging conditions for residents.
Temperature Comparison Reveals Startling Differences
The Delhi colder than Shimla situation has surprised meteorologists and residents alike. On Monday, Shimla is expected to experience maximum and minimum temperatures of 16 and 9 degrees Celsius respectively. In stark contrast, Delhi’s minimum temperature is forecast to drop to 3-4.2 degrees Celsius, making the capital significantly colder than the popular hill station. This unusual temperature inversion has extended to other plain areas as well, with Chandigarh also recording lower temperatures than typical hilly regions.
The phenomenon of Delhi colder than Shimla conditions highlights the severity of the current cold wave affecting northern plains. While hill stations typically experience lower temperatures during winter months, the current weather pattern has reversed this expectation, with plains bearing the brunt of the freezing conditions.
IMD Issues Extensive Cold Wave Warnings
The India Meteorological Department has issued comprehensive warnings for multiple regions. Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are very likely at isolated places over Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and west Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, isolated places over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Saurashtra and Kutch, and Uttarakhand may witness cold wave conditions on Monday, January 12.
The cold wave streak is expected to continue on Tuesday as well at isolated places over Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and west Uttar Pradesh. For Jharkhand specifically, the cold wave is likely to persist until Thursday. The Delhi colder than Shimla conditions are expected to remain in place over the next two days, with the capital likely to witness partly cloudy skies for the subsequent two days.
Interestingly, Himachal districts such as Shimla and Kullu have no warnings issued for the rest of the week, further emphasizing how the Delhi colder than Shimla scenario reflects the unusual concentration of cold conditions in the plains rather than the hills.
Dense Fog Compounds Weather Challenges
While there is no major prediction of significant rain or snow for the next six days, several areas are facing another weather challenge. Dense fog is marked as very likely at places in Bihar, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Rajasthan, sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand on Monday. These areas are likely to remain engulfed in dense fog until Thursday, January 15, creating additional hazards for transportation and daily activities.
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Several areas of Uttar Pradesh may witness particularly dense fog on Monday, compounding the challenges posed by the Delhi colder than Shimla temperatures and making travel treacherous across the region.
Health and Safety Impacts of Severe Cold Conditions
According to the IMD, the Delhi colder than Shimla conditions and severe cold wave across the region could lead to significant impacts on health, agriculture, transport, and other aspects of life. Health officials warn of increased likelihood of various illnesses like flu, running or stuffy nose, and nosebleeds, which usually set in or get aggravated due to prolonged exposure to cold.
The weather department emphasizes that people should not ignore shivering, as it is the first sign that the body is losing heat. Immediate action should be taken to get indoors and warm up. Frostbite can occur due to prolonged exposure to cold, causing skin to turn pale, hard, and numb, with black blisters eventually appearing on exposed body parts such as fingers, toes, nose, and earlobes. Severe frostbite requires immediate medical attention and treatment.
Agricultural and Infrastructure Concerns
The Delhi colder than Shimla conditions and widespread cold wave are expected to impact agriculture, crops, livestock, water supply, transport, and the power sector at various locations. Farmers are particularly concerned about crop damage during this extended cold spell.
Space Heaters Emerge as Silent Threat
Amid the freezing temperatures making Delhi colder than Shimla, space heaters have emerged as a significant safety concern. Several tragic incidents have been reported from Delhi, Punjab, and Bihar over the past month. In Delhi’s Mukundpur area, a family of three were killed in a fire last Tuesday, with authorities suspecting a room heater explosion or short circuit. Similarly, a young couple and their month-old infant died in Punjab’s Tarn Taran on Sunday from asphyxiation due to fumes after sleeping with a brazier in a closed room.
