By – Shubhendra Rajawat
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a light rain is expected in several parts of North India tomorrow, December 9, with a cold wave setting in across the region. Dense fog will blanket 11 states during the night and early morning hours, including Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jharkhand, Sikkim, and parts of Himalayan West Bengal.
As per IMD’s forecast, areas like Darjeeling and Kalimpong in West Bengal, and parts of Punjab and Haryana may witness light rain. The Western Himalayan states are already experiencing freezing temperatures, with the mercury dipping below zero in Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh. In these regions, water sources have begun to freeze due to the sharp drop in temperatures, and high-altitude waterfalls are freezing as well.
In Rajasthan, temperatures have dropped significantly, reaching 5°C in some areas. The IMD has issued an alert for rain over the next two days, along with the onset of the cold wave across northern India.
Rain and Cold Wave in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi-NCR
The IMD has predicted light rain for Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi-NCR on Monday, followed by the commencement of the cold wave. This change in weather is attributed to a western disturbance over central Pakistan and its surrounding areas. As a result, Delhi-NCR also witnessed light rainfall on Sunday.
The IMD has announced that from December 9, a cold wave will affect most parts of North India. Naresh Kumar, an IMD scientist, said temperatures in Delhi-NCR will begin to dip from Monday, with Rajasthan marking the start of the cold wave. In western Rajasthan, the cold wave will persist from December 9 to 14, while Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and western Uttar Pradesh will feel the impact of the cold wave starting December 11.
The cold wave in the national capital will be accompanied by a significant drop in temperatures, with a severe chill expected in the coming days. To protect the homeless and underprivileged from the biting cold, temporary shelters have been set up near AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and Nizamuddin Flyover in Delhi. The number of people seeking shelter has been increasing steadily as the cold intensifies.
Delhi’s Air Quality Worsens Again
Following the lifting of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) restrictions, Delhi’s air quality has once again deteriorated to the “very poor” category. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) was 302 at 4 PM on Sunday, which falls under the “very poor” category. In comparison, the AQI was 233 on Saturday. Out of 38 air quality monitoring stations, 23 recorded “very poor” AQI, while only two stations recorded this on Saturday. The AQI in NCR cities like Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Noida, and Greater Noida has also entered the “poor” category.
Light Rain Expected in Jharkhand
In Jharkhand, weather experts have predicted cloudy conditions and light rain in several areas on Monday. The ongoing weather changes may lead to a rise in the minimum temperature by 3-4°C in the next 48 hours, while the maximum temperature could drop by 1-2°C.
Dense Fog in Multiple States
IMD has also forecast dense fog in the late-night and early-morning hours of December 9 across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jharkhand, Sikkim, and parts of Himalayan West Bengal. The fog will be particularly intense in Darjeeling and Kalimpong in West Bengal, as well as in areas of Punjab and Haryana, where light rain may also occur.
This weather pattern is expected to bring relief to some regions but will also lead to colder temperatures, particularly in northern and western India. Stay tuned to weather updates as the cold wave sets in, affecting daily life and transportation.