The comfortable chill that had been blanketing the Indo-Gangetic plains for a few weeks has since changed to a severe chill, with biting cold and thick fog covering the area. Due to the chilly temperatures and poor visibility, stepping outside has become perilous for the people of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh.
In a long-range monthly forecast earlier this week, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that temperatures would probably be below average in several areas of northwest India during January 2023.
The predictions have so far come true, with coldwave to severe coldwave conditions being seen in several locations over Punjab and in a few isolated areas in Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana during the past 24 hours. Today’s lowest temperature was 2.5°C in Gurdaspur, Punjab, while it was 3.8°C in Narnaul, Haryana. On Wednesday morning, Delhi’s Ridge recorded the coldest temperature of 3.3°C, around four units below average.
The Red alert is in effect
According to recent IMD predictions, areas of these states may experience cold waves or severe cold waves through Friday (January 6). The low temperature in Delhi is expected to remain continuously below four °C until Saturday.
When the lowest temperature in the plains falls below ten °C, and the next maximum temperature falls by at least 4.5°C, the IMD declares a coldwave. However, when the lowest temperature drops below two °C or the deviation from the average exceeds 6.4°C, a severe cold wave is proclaimed.
In addition to the chilly snap and the hazy weather, Delhi also has a “terrible” AQI (air quality index) of 353. Due to the low temperature and the absence of surface breezes, the situation is anticipated to worsen during the following three days.
Residents should take safety precautions to keep themselves safe in such chilly weather. These include getting enough warm liquids to drink, eating a diet high in vitamin C, moisturizing your skin with oil or cream, and putting on enough warm clothing before going outside. However, it is suggested to avoid stepping outside unless it is essential for persons with respiratory issues.
Avoid driving out into the fog; if it is unavoidable, drive extremely slowly while using your low beams and honking as required.
