As icy winter winds swept the northern plains, Amritsar froze to a minimum of 4.7°C on Wednesday – the lowest recorded across India’s north. Meanwhile, eastern metro Kolkata awoke to its coldest day yet this season at 14.6°C.
The plunging mercury signals the peak of winter amid forecasts of even harsher cold ahead. Dense fog across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh has disrupted daily life over the past week. Up north, higher altitudes of West Bengal may even see snowfall.
“Cold winds from the north will bring down temperatures across the state,” stated a Met official in Kolkata. Minimums of 6°C-10°C are predicted for most parts of north and central India, with Shimla already hitting sub-zero levels.
Coastal Karnataka provided the only warm respite with Honavar touching 35.4°C. But most cities are reaching for extra blankets by early evening itself.
For West Bengal, persistent chills below 15°C since late November 2022 confirm winter’s firm grip. The joy of the festive season ahead remains dampened by dipping mercury and gloomy grey skies dominating mornings.
Further up in the Darjeeling hills, the prospects of snowfall loom amid forecasts of rainfall over the next 48 hours. The picturesque sight of snow-capped summits may momentarily offset the harsh cold for residents.
But as entire north and east India tighten defenses against cruel winter, fears grow over the preparedness of homeless citizens and infrastructure to handle the impending cold waves. Amritsar’s 4.7°C gives just a glimpse of the bitter conditions awaiting at the peak of the winter season during January.
