Aerial view of snow covered vehicles stuck in traffic jam amid snowfall in Manali on Friday. (Photo- ANI)
Digital Desk, New Delhi. Large parts of North India are still in the grip of cold wave. After heavy snowfall and rain in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in the past few days, there has been a sharp drop in the temperature in the plains. Dense fog and cold winds have increased the problems of people in many parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan including Delhi-NCR.
Due to heavy snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand, life has become disrupted. Two to three feet of snow accumulation on the roads is affecting traffic. There has been intermittent snowfall in Uttarkashi, Chamoli of Uttarakhand and Doda of Jammu for the last 24 hours.
After the rain, there was dense fog since Saturday morning. The minimum temperature was recorded around 8-9 degrees Celsius, slightly above normal but the shivering increased due to strong cold winds. According to IMD, cold wave and dense fog conditions may persist for the next 2-3 days, due to which a further drop of 3-5 degrees in the minimum temperature is possible.
Snowfall in hilly states
Light to moderate snowfall occurred in the higher reaches around Basant Panchami along with heavy snowfall at some places. This caused a sudden change in the weather and the cold increased in the plains.
Severe winter in Punjab-Haryana-Chandigarh
There was a huge drop in temperature after the rain. Dense to very dense fog is likely to prevail over many parts of these states on January 24 and 25, reducing visibility to near zero. Those traveling have been advised to remain cautious.
IMD has issued orange and yellow alerts for thunderstorms, strong winds (30-60 km/hr), rain and hailstorm in many districts. A special warning is also issued for dense fog and cold wave conditions from January 25. In some areas, a drop of 0-5 degrees is being recorded in temperature.
According to the Meteorological Department, due to the influence of western disturbance, this phase may continue in North India for the next 48-72 hours. After that there is a possibility of slight increase in temperature, but at present there is no immediate hope of relief.
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