New Delhi [India], December 23: A harsh cold wave, accompanied by light rain, gripped the national capital on Monday, with temperatures plunging to 8°C during the night and a daytime high of 20°C. Residents braved the chilly weather, and visuals showed people gathered around bonfires to stay warm.
In Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, the minimum temperature was recorded at 9°C, with a maximum of 25°C, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). Locals expressed concerns about the continuing drop in temperatures, with one resident noting, “It rained a little today, and temperatures are expected to drop further in the coming days.”
Visibility in some areas, including parts of Delhi, was affected due to the dense fog. One resident commented, “The fog has made visibility very low, and we might experience harsher weather in the days ahead.”
In Agra, the temperature dipped to 10°C, and the iconic Taj Mahal was enveloped in a thick layer of fog, while in Prayagraj, temperatures ranged from 12°C to 25°C. Ajit Pratap Singh, a local resident, remarked, “The fog has intensified due to the changing weather, and people are gathering around bonfires to stay warm.”
Light drizzle was also reported in Noida, adding to the chilly atmosphere. In Rajasthan’s Mount Abu, temperatures ranged from 10°C to 22°C, with locals and tourists alike seen buying warm clothes to combat the cold. Preeti, a tourist, said, “The weather is perfect for a visit, but the cold winds make it very chilly, especially at night.”
The IMD has forecast dense fog and cold wave conditions to continue in parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and other regions from December 23 to 25.