Parts of Northwest India are in for a chilly New Year, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) anticipates cold to severe cold wave to continue till Monday, January 3.
According to the IMD, a cold wave will hit Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, regions of Punjab and Haryana, and Rajasthan over the next four days. Madhya Pradesh is also expected to be hit by a cold wave until Sunday, January 2.
The IMD has also predicted intense fog across Uttar Pradesh during the night and early morning for the next five days, as well as in East and Northeast India over the next two to three days.
Furthermore, 2-4 degree Celsius drop in minimum temperatures is expected throughout Central India during the next three days, followed by a 2-3 degree Celsius rise in the next two days.
ast India will also see 3-5 degree Celsius drop in minimum temperatures during the next three days.
According to the press release, low temperatures in Punjab, north Rajasthan, west Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana ranged from 2 to 6 degrees Celsius on Thursday. A fall of 3 to 5 degrees Celsius in minimum temperatures was seen in the region as well as Madhya Pradesh in 24 hours.
When the lowest temperature at the weather station in the plains is equal to or less than 10 degrees Celsius and is 4.5 degrees to 6.4 degrees below the normal temperature for that period, the IMD declares a cold wave.
A cold wave can also be detected at a plains station if the lowest temperature is less than or equal to 4 degrees Celsius.
A cold wave is proclaimed in hilly regions when the minimum temperature is less than or equal to 0 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature is 4.5 degrees to 6.4 degrees below normal.