Winter conditions across northern India are expected to turn harsher over the coming days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing warnings of cold wave and severe cold wave conditions in several states. In an unusual meteorological development, temperatures in the plains — including Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) — have dropped below those recorded in some hill stations such as Shimla, underlining the intensity of the cold spell gripping the region.

According to the IMD’s bulletin issued on Sunday, January 11, large parts of north India will continue to experience freezing conditions for at least the next couple of days. Areas under the cold wave alert include Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, while isolated pockets in some states may face even more severe conditions.

Cold wave warnings across northern India

The weather department has stated that cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are very likely at isolated places over Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and west Uttar Pradesh. In addition, isolated areas of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Saurashtra and Kutch, and Uttarakhand are expected to witness cold wave conditions on Monday, January 12.

The warning does not end there. The IMD has forecast that the cold wave streak is very likely to continue on Tuesday as well, affecting isolated places in Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and west Uttar Pradesh. Jharkhand, in particular, may see prolonged cold wave conditions that could persist until Thursday, January 15.

Meteorologists attribute the persistence of the cold to a combination of factors, including clear night skies, weak surface winds, and the movement of cold air masses from the north, all of which allow temperatures to drop sharply, especially during nighttime and early morning hours.

Plains colder than Shimla: An unusual contrast

One of the most striking aspects of the current weather pattern is that the plains are colder than some hilly regions, a situation that appears counterintuitive to many. However, the IMD says this phenomenon is not unprecedented during intense winter spells.

On Monday, the IMD forecast suggested that Shimla would record a maximum temperature of around 16 degrees Celsius and a minimum of about 9 degrees Celsius. In contrast, Delhi’s minimum temperature was expected to dip to between 3 and 4.2 degrees Celsius, while the maximum was predicted to hover between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius.

This sharp drop in minimum temperatures in the plains is largely due to temperature inversion — a condition in which cooler air gets trapped near the ground, particularly during calm and clear nights. In hilly areas, snow cover can sometimes act as insulation, preventing extreme drops in nighttime temperatures, whereas the plains experience rapid heat loss after sunset.

While districts such as Shimla and Kullu in Himachal Pradesh currently have no additional warnings issued for the rest of the week, Delhi is likely to remain under cold wave conditions for the next two days, followed by partly cloudy skies thereafter.

Dense fog to compound winter woes

Adding to the challenges posed by the cold wave, the IMD has also issued a dense fog warning for several regions. While no significant rainfall or snowfall is expected over the next six days, dense fog is very likely to affect visibility, particularly during late night and early morning hours.

On Monday, dense fog was forecast at places in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Rajasthan, sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and Uttarakhand. According to the IMD, these foggy conditions may persist until Thursday, January 15.

Dense fog can severely disrupt daily life, leading to delays and cancellations in road, rail and air transport. Authorities have advised commuters to exercise caution, use fog lights while driving, and allow extra time for travel during early morning hours.

Impact on health and daily life

The IMD has warned that cold wave and severe cold wave conditions can have wide-ranging impacts beyond discomfort. Prolonged exposure to extreme cold increases the risk of several health issues, particularly among the elderly, children and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Common ailments during such periods include flu, cough, cold, running or stuffy nose, and nosebleeds. Medical experts caution that shivering should never be ignored, as it is one of the earliest signs that the body is losing heat. People experiencing persistent shivering are advised to seek warmth immediately and avoid prolonged exposure to the cold.

In extreme cases, prolonged exposure can lead to frostbite, a serious condition in which the skin becomes pale, hard and numb. If left untreated, frostbite can cause black blisters to appear on exposed body parts such as fingers, toes, the nose or earlobes. Severe frostbite requires immediate medical attention.

Beyond health, cold wave conditions can also affect agriculture and infrastructure. Crops and livestock may suffer due to frost and low temperatures, while water supply systems, transport services and power infrastructure can face disruptions in some areas.

Space heaters emerge as ‘silent killers’

As residents struggle to cope with the biting cold, authorities are also warning of a hidden danger that has emerged during this winter spell: the unsafe use of space heaters and traditional heating devices.

In recent weeks, several incidents linked to heaters, braziers and other heating equipment have been reported from Delhi, Punjab, Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir, some of them resulting in fatalities. These incidents have prompted officials and doctors to caution people against unsafe heating practices.

In Delhi’s Mukundpur area, a tragic incident occurred last Tuesday when a family of three was killed in a fire. Police investigations suggested that a room heater may have exploded or caused a short circuit, filling the room with smoke and knocking the occupants unconscious before the fire spread.

In another heartbreaking case from Punjab’s Tarn Taran district, a young couple and their month-old infant died of asphyxiation after sleeping in a closed room with a burning brazier. According to police, the fumes from the brazier accumulated in the poorly ventilated room, leading to suffocation.

Doctors describe such heating devices as “silent killers” when used improperly, especially in enclosed spaces without adequate ventilation. Carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation are among the leading causes of death in such incidents.

Advisory for residents

With winter conditions set to intensify, authorities have urged people to take precautions to protect themselves and their families. These include wearing layered clothing, avoiding unnecessary outdoor exposure during late night and early morning hours, ensuring proper ventilation when using heaters, and checking electrical wiring before operating heating appliances.

The IMD continues to closely monitor the evolving weather situation and is expected to issue further updates as required. Until then, residents across north India are advised to remain alert, follow weather advisories, and take necessary steps to stay safe as the cold wave tightens its grip.