Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], January 3: Rajasthan experienced a cold and foggy start to the day on Friday, with temperatures dropping across various districts, significantly disrupting daily life. In Jaipur, dense fog reduced visibility as the temperature dropped to 10.2 degrees Celsius. Other parts of the state recorded similar cold conditions: Jaisalmer at 9.6°C, Sriganganagar at 6.8°C, Udaipur at 7°C, Bikaner at 9.2°C, and Churu at 7.8°C, according to IMD data recorded at 5:30 am.
In Agra, Uttar Pradesh, a thick fog covered the city, dropping visibility to zero. The temperature in Lucknow was 8°C, and 8.4°C in Jhansi, according to IMD data from 3:30 am.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir continued to experience coldwave conditions, with temperatures dropping below zero in many areas. The surface of Dal Lake remained frozen as Srinagar recorded -1.2°C, Gulmarg 0.8°C, Pahalgam -3.8°C, Banihal 3.6°C, and Kupwara -1°C, as per IMD.
Cold wave conditions are defined by the IMD as when the minimum temperature falls to 10°C or lower for plains and 0°C or lower for hilly regions.
In Delhi, a thin fog covered parts of the city, with the minimum temperature recorded at 9.6°C. The air quality index (AQI) worsened, moving from ‘poor’ to ‘very poor,’ reaching 348 at 6 am according to the Central Pollution Control Board. The AQI scale ranges from ‘good’ (0-50) to ‘severe’ (401-500).
To assist those affected by the cold, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has set up 235 pagoda tents and night shelters across the capital, including areas such as AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and Nizamuddin flyover.