North India Braces for Cold Wave as Temperatures Plummet

North India faces cold conditions with Amarnath yatra base camp hitting minus 4.3°C. IMD forecasts cold waves in central regions. Delhi's air quality remains poor while temperatures fluctuate across states. A weak western disturbance may cause a slight temperature rise, offering some relief from the severe cold.

Cold conditions swept through North India on Sunday, with the Amarnath yatra base camp, recording the lowest temperatures in Jammu and Kashmir at minus 4.3 degrees Celsius. Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan also experienced low temperatures from three to seven degrees Celsius.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that the cold wave will likely continue in Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha on Monday and Tuesday. In Delhi, pollution persists, with the air quality index reaching 308, placing it in the 'very poor' category.

A fresh but weak western disturbance may bring some relief as temperatures are expected to rise by two to three degrees Celsius over the next few days. However, parts of East and West India should prepare for dense fog covering certain areas, complicating travel and day-to-day activities.

(With inputs from agencies.)