Delhi-NCR Residents Shiver As It’s Cooler Than Shimla; IMD Issues Cold Wave And Fog Warning

North India continues to reel under an intense cold wave, with temperatures dipping to freezing levels across several states. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a cold wave alert for the coming days in regions including Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh.

According to the IMD's bulletin released on Sunday, January 11, cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are expected at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and western Uttar Pradesh, while Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, and Uttarakhand are also likely to experience biting cold.

The weather department has said that this chilling trend will continue till at least Tuesday and may persist longer in Jharkhand, where conditions are expected to remain harsh until Thursday.

Plains Colder Than Hills

In an unusual weather twist, temperatures in Delhi and parts of Punjab and Haryana have fallen below those in hill stations like Shimla.

According to the IMD, Shimla is expected to record a maximum of 16°C and a minimum of 9°C on Monday, while Delhi's minimum temperature could drop as low as 3°C to 4.2°C, with maximum temperatures hovering around 18°C to 20°C.

Himachal's hill districts such as Shimla and Kullu currently have no severe weather warnings, but the plains are witnessing colder conditions than usual.

Delhi is also expected to remain under a cold wave for at least two more days, followed by partly cloudy skies later in the week.

The IMD has also issued a dense fog warning for several states. On Monday, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand are expected to see dense to very dense fog, which may continue till January 15.

This could lead to poor visibility and travel disruptions, especially in the early morning hours.

Health Risks and Hazards of Extreme Cold

The IMD has warned that cold wave conditions can have serious effects on health, agriculture, and day-to-day life. Exposure to low temperatures for long periods can cause illnesses such as flu, cold, and frostbite.

People are advised to stay indoors as much as possible, wear multiple layers of warm clothing, and avoid using open fires in closed spaces.

Continuous exposure to cold can cause frostbite, where the skin becomes pale and numb before turning dark. Medical help should be sought immediately in such cases. The cold wave can also impact crops, livestock, and power supply in affected regions.

Space Heaters Become "Silent Killers"

As the cold intensifies, space heaters-commonly used for warmth-are emerging as silent threats. Several recent incidents have been reported from Delhi, Punjab, and Bihar, where the use of room heaters led to tragic accidents.

In Delhi's Mukundpur area, a family of three lost their lives last week after their heater allegedly caused a short circuit and fire. Similarly, in Punjab's Tarn Taran, a young couple and their infant died of suffocation after sleeping in a closed room with a brazier burning for warmth.

Authorities have advised people to use heaters safely, ensure proper ventilation, and avoid leaving heating devices unattended overnight.