Delhi Shivers After Surprise Rain; IMD Issues Cold Wave Alert

If winter felt predictable until now, the weather has other plans. From an unusually damp chill in Delhi to bone-biting cold waves sweeping across northwestern India, and heavy rain warnings lighting up the south, the India Meteorological Department’s latest forecast reads like a tale of two seasons unfolding at once.

Delhi’s Rare Winter Rain Adds A Sharper Chill

Delhiites are feeling winter in a way they have not for a couple of years. Light rain and drizzle, unusual for this time of year, have washed over parts of the capital and NCR, pushing temperatures down to their lowest January levels in nearly two years. The cold feels sharper, the mornings heavier, and the air noticeably damper. With daytime temperatures struggling to rise and nights remaining bitterly cold, the city is bracing for a spell where winter refuses to loosen its grip.

Meteorologists say this mix of cold air and moisture is also setting the stage for persistent fog, especially during early mornings and late nights. Visibility has already dropped in several pockets, affecting daily routines and slowing down traffic across the region.

Cold Wave Tightens Its Grip On North India

Beyond Delhi, winter is showing its harshest face across Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. Minimum temperatures have slipped well below normal in many districts, triggering cold wave conditions that are expected to linger. In Rajasthan, even light rainfall linked to western disturbances has failed to offer relief, instead deepening the chill in already cold desert regions.

The cold is not just uncomfortable but disruptive. Farmers are worried about frost damage to crops, while residents in rural and semi-urban areas are struggling to cope with the prolonged exposure to low temperatures. The IMD continues to advise caution, especially during night and early morning hours when the cold intensifies.

Dense fog has become a recurring character in this winter story. Across the Indo Gangetic plains, mornings are beginning under a grey blanket that reduces visibility and delays movement. Trains and flights are seeing knock-on effects, while highways demand extra caution from commuters.

Authorities are urging people to slow down on roads, plan travel with buffers and stay updated with local advisories. For many, the daily commute has turned into a test of patience and preparedness.

While The North Freezes, Tamil Nadu Prepares For Rain

As northern India shivers, the south is looking up at darkening skies. Tamil Nadu is under rain alerts, with forecasts pointing to widespread showers and the possibility of heavy rainfall in some regions. Coastal areas, in particular, are expected to see active weather that could disrupt travel and daily activities.

The contrast is striking. While sweaters and heaters dominate conversations in the north, umbrellas and rain warnings are back in focus in the south. The IMD has advised residents to stay alert, especially in areas prone to waterlogging and localised flooding.

Experts attribute this dramatic split to active western disturbances influencing northern India, bringing cold air and occasional moisture, while easterly winds and regional systems feed rainfall over the southern peninsula. With weaker sunlight during peak winter, these systems tend to linger, making the cold feel longer and the rain heavier where it strikes.

FAQs

1. Why did Delhi receive rare winter rain this January?
   Western disturbances brought moisture along with cold air, resulting in unusual winter rain and a sharper chill in Delhi.

2. How cold has Delhi become compared to previous years?
   Temperatures dropped to their lowest January levels in nearly two years, making this winter spell unusually intense.

3. Which states are under cold wave alerts in north India?
   Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan are experiencing cold wave conditions with temperatures falling well below normal.

4. Why is dense fog affecting north India?
   The combination of cold air, moisture and weak winter sunlight is creating persistent fog across the Indo-Gangetic plains.

5. Why is Tamil Nadu expecting heavy rainfall at the same time?
   Easterly winds and regional weather systems are driving widespread rain over Tamil Nadu, creating a sharp north-south weather contrast.