IMD Issues Red Warning for Severe Cold Wave, Dense Fog Across North India

A harsh cold wave continues to grip large parts of north India, with night temperatures plunging close to the freezing mark and dense fog severely affecting visibility. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red warning for Punjab and Haryana on January 13, cautioning residents and authorities about severe cold wave conditions and very dense fog.

Several locations across Punjab and Haryana recorded near-freezing minimum temperatures. Gurugram and Bathinda saw temperatures drop to around 0.6°C, while Amritsar, Faridkot and Gurdaspur hovered close to 2°C. In Haryana, Narnaul emerged as the coldest location, with temperatures significantly below seasonal averages.

Dense to very dense fog is expected to disrupt movement across Punjab, Haryana and parts of northern Rajasthan. Patchy fog conditions are also likely in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, reducing visibility during early morning hours and impacting road, rail and air travel.

Delhi remains under intense cold stress, with minimum temperatures forecast between 3°C and 5°C. The IMD has issued an orange alert for the capital, warning of cold wave conditions along with shallow to moderate fog across multiple areas.

Cold wave to severe cold day conditions are expected to persist in isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, while Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and western Uttar Pradesh may also experience biting cold over the coming days. Eastern states such as Odisha and Jharkhand are likely to see a sharp temperature dip later this week.

In contrast, southern India is witnessing a wet spell, with parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal receiving rainfall under the influence of the northeast monsoon. Light to moderate rain is expected to continue, with isolated heavy showers in select districts.

Experts note that prolonged weather extremes not only strain public health and infrastructure but also impact governance, compliance and institutional planning, where structured oversight - including auditing services in india - plays a role in ensuring accountability and preparedness across public systems.

Authorities have advised citizens to limit early morning travel, take precautions against cold exposure and stay updated with official advisories as the cold wave continues to affect multiple regions.