New Delhi: The onset of the New Year has brought a sharper chill to large parts of North India, with cold winds, dense fog and snowfall combining to intensify winter conditions. A steady drop in temperatures across hill states and the plains has disrupted daily routines, forcing many residents to remain indoors as mornings and nights turn increasingly harsh.
In the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh, fresh snowfall has been reported from Kullu-Manali and Lahaul, while the mercury dipped sharply in the tribal belt of Tabo, touching nearly minus seven degrees Celsius. Jammu and Kashmir’s Gulmarg emerged as one of the coldest locations in the region, recording sub-zero temperatures. Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath and nearby areas were also blanketed in snow, adding to the severe winter spell in the mountains.
The cold has been equally biting in the plains. Parts of Haryana and Punjab witnessed near-freezing conditions, with Mahendragarh and Faridkot among the coldest districts in their respective states. In Uttar Pradesh, dense fog engulfed several regions, drastically reducing visibility and affecting road and rail movement. Delhi, too, experienced foggy conditions, prompting weather officials to issue a yellow alert for the capital.
Meteorologists have warned that relief is unlikely in the immediate future. Forecasts suggest that thick fog will continue to dominate night and early morning hours across North India over the next week. The weather department has indicated that fog intensity could increase in parts of Uttarakhand and Rajasthan around January 4 and 5, while cold wave conditions may persist in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan until at least January 7.
Experts attribute the prolonged cold spell to the influence of western disturbances combined with chilly northwesterly winds. As a result, minimum temperatures in several states — including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar — have dropped to between 2 and 5 degrees Celsius, heightening the risk of frost in rural areas.
The extreme cold is also raising concerns for agriculture. Specialists warn that frost can severely damage Rabi crops and winter vegetables, particularly sensitive varieties such as potatoes, tomatoes, peas, cauliflower, cabbage and leafy greens. To minimise losses, agricultural scientists have advised farmers in frost-prone regions to carry out light irrigation during nighttime hours, noting that moist soil retains warmth and can help protect crops from sudden temperature drops.
With winter tightening its hold, authorities are urging people to take precautions against cold-related illnesses, while farmers remain on alert as the cold wave continues to threaten livelihoods.
