Gurugram, Haryana – A biting cold wave tightened its grip over Gurugram on Wednesday, with the city recording a bone-chilling minimum temperature of 0.8 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The mercury continued its plunge across the National Capital Region (NCR) and northwest India, leaving residents battling extreme winter conditions just days after the city touched a near five-decade low of 0.6 degrees Celsius earlier this week.

The IMD’s automatic weather station had recorded the 0.6 degrees Celsius reading on Monday, equalling a historic low last seen on January 22, 1977. The city’s record books indicate that temperatures in Gurugram have fallen below zero only on three occasions: minus 0.4 degrees Celsius on December 5, 1966; 0 degrees Celsius on January 11, 1970; and 0.3 degrees Celsius on January 22, 1979. The current cold spell, therefore, marks one of the harshest winters in decades, drawing attention to how the plains are currently colder than many Himalayan hill stations.

Indeed, while Gurugram and other parts of the NCR shivered through near-freezing nights, hill stations were relatively warmer. Mussoorie reported a minimum of 7.7 degrees Celsius and Shimla at 8.8 degrees Celsius, highlighting an unusual weather pattern that has intrigued meteorologists and left residents seeking warmth.

IMD Director General M Mohapatra explained the anomaly, attributing it to cloud cover over the hills caused by an active western disturbance. “The night was cloudy over the higher reaches, which prevented heat from escaping, keeping minimum temperatures higher there,” Mohapatra said. “Over the plains, however, skies were clear, and persistent cold northwesterly winds allowed strong radiative cooling, pushing temperatures sharply lower.”

The impact of the intense cold has been visible across Gurugram and its outskirts. Frost, locally known as pala, has formed over crops, grasslands, and car windshields, creating a surreal winter landscape. For many residents, the chill has been both harsh and unprecedented.

Jeeva Thavasiraj, a 22-year-old site engineer from Sector 66, described the experience as unlike anything he had encountered before. “I come from Tamil Nadu and have never experienced this kind of cold. Even with heavy safety shoes, our feet become numb,” he said, highlighting how the prolonged low temperatures have posed challenges even for those accustomed to mild winters.

Daily commuters, too, have faced hazardous conditions. Sunita Devi, who travels from Sohna to Gurugram every day, said dense fog combined with frost made travel risky and slow. “There was frost on our bus’s windshield and on crops in the fields. The elevated roads had very poor visibility, and vehicles had to move carefully,” she said, illustrating how the cold wave has affected not only comfort but also daily mobility and safety.

The cold has also impacted agriculture and local livelihoods, with frost forming over freshly sown crops in the outskirts. Farmers have had to take additional precautions to prevent crop damage, while roadside workers and vendors have struggled to carry on their routines amid sub-zero-like conditions. The sudden cold snap has reminded residents of the vulnerability of urban infrastructure to extreme winter weather, particularly in cities like Gurugram that are not traditionally equipped for such intense frost and cold.

The NCR and surrounding plains are likely to remain under the influence of this cold wave for the coming days. Meteorologists predict that temperatures may hover close to the current lows, particularly during the night and early morning hours, as clear skies and cold northwesterly winds persist. Residents have been advised to take precautions, including wearing multiple layers, using heating appliances safely, and exercising caution while traveling on fog-covered roads.

This episode also sheds light on the evolving patterns of winter weather in northwest India. While Himalayan regions are generally colder, the plains are experiencing increasingly sharp cold spells, driven by atmospheric disturbances and local climatic conditions. Such weather events underline the need for public awareness, preparedness, and responsive infrastructure to manage the challenges posed by sudden drops in temperature.

As Gurugram grapples with the extreme cold, stories of residents struggling with frost, fog, and freezing temperatures continue to emerge. For many, this winter will be remembered not just for the numbers on the thermometer, but for the palpable chill that has swept across homes, workplaces, and streets, creating one of the coldest periods the city has witnessed in decades.

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