Weather Report: IMD predicts cold wave in northern India, heavy rain in south

Weather Forecast: The different regions of India are expected to turn into a study in extremes on Thursday with a deadly combination of bone-chilling cold and tropical moisture set to take hold.

What warning has the IMD given?

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for Thursday, forecasting a severe cold wave in North India and heavy rainfall in South India. This could lead to a significant drop in temperatures in the plains.

According to the IMD, dense fog is likely to prevail over northwest, central, and northeast India on January 8. The department stated that dense fog could reduce visibility to near zero in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, and also cause a sharp drop in temperatures.

What about the fog?

The meteorological department explained that the fog and increased cold are due to the interaction of moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal and cold winds from the northwest. Simultaneously, a depression formed in the Bay of Bengal will cause heavy rainfall in the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. This adverse weather will directly impact transportation. Fishermen in coastal areas have been advised to stay away from the sea for safety reasons.

What will be the impact on rail, road, and air travel?

He explained that this dense fog is forming due to the collision of moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal and icy winds from the northwest.

Till when will the cold wave last?

According to the IMD, cold wave conditions will persist in several areas of Himachal Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Jharkhand. Meanwhile, Skymet has predicted dry weather and cold conditions during the day in Delhi, while the IMD has forecast a maximum temperature between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature between seven and nine degrees Celsius.

What is the prediction for South India?

Conversely, the depression in the southeastern Bay of Bengal is intensifying. The IMD has warned that heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are likely in several parts of Tamil Nadu from January 8. The department has also advised fishermen, based on the IMD's recommendations, not to venture into the southwest Bay of Bengal and off the south Tamil Nadu coast during this period.