Chilly Alert: Freezing Cold Hits North India; Brace for Rainy Woes!

New Delhi:** Since the beginning of January, biting cold has gripped various parts of the country. The Meteorological Department predicts that the onslaught of the cold wave, also known as Sheetalhari, will persist. In Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, the situation will escalate from cold days to severe cold days for the next two days, posing difficulties for the residents.

Additionally, an alert for dense fog has been issued in North-Western India for the next two days. The Meteorological Department has also warned of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in several states across North, Central, and South India.

**Rain Warning in These States:**

In the capital, Delhi, the current days are marked by harsh cold. On Saturday, the minimum temperature was recorded at 8.4 degrees Celsius. According to the Meteorological Department, relief from this cold is not expected for the residents in the coming days. The cold spell will persist, accompanied by increased rainfall, causing inconvenience. Alerts for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms have been issued in several states across North, Central, and South India.

The impact of the Western Disturbance will be observed in North-Western and Central India. As a result, thunderstorms and rainfall are expected between January 8 and 10. Rajasthan and Western Madhya Pradesh are likely to face challenges due to rainfall. Besides, rain alerts have been issued for states beyond North-Western and Central India, including Maharashtra and Gujarat.

**Heavy Rainfall Expected in South India:**

In South India, heavy rainfall alerts have been issued for the next five days. The coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Kerala may experience substantial rainfall. Fishermen in Tamil Nadu are also advised to stay vigilant. Currently, several states in North India are recording minimum temperatures around 10 degrees Celsius, while Eastern and North-Eastern states are relatively better off with temperatures ranging between 12 to 14 degrees Celsius.

Jammu and Kashmir are grappling with severe cold, with temperatures in various regions dipping below zero, creating challenges for the residents.

**Rain and Hailstorm Alert in Uttar Pradesh:**

With the onset of the new year, several districts in Uttar Pradesh are under the grip of biting cold. The cold wave is expected to persist in the state. The new year has brought rain to various locations in the state, and the rain spell is likely to continue. Alerts for heavy rainfall and hailstorms have been issued from Monday to Thursday, causing anticipated difficulties for the residents.

**Thick Fog to Linger in Many Districts:**

People in the state are unlikely to get relief from thick fog. Alerts for dense fog have been issued in various districts, with an orange alert for fog in cities including Lucknow, Varanasi, Kanpur, Prayagraj, and Gorakhpur.

In the past 24 hours, Muzaffarnagar remained the coldest city, registering a minimum temperature of 5.1 degrees Celsius. Sultanpur received the highest rainfall at 34 millimeters.