North India continued to face harsh winter conditions on Friday, with temperatures dipping sharply across Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the region is in the grip of an intense cold wave, accompanied by dense fog, biting winds and rising pollution levels in major cities.
Rajasthan recorded some of the lowest temperatures in the plains. Fatehpur in Sikar district was the coldest at 1.9°C, while several other districts such as Sikar, Nagaur, Churu and Pilani reported temperatures well below 5°C. The early-season chill has affected daily routines, with residents lighting fires to stay warm and health officials reporting a rise in cold-related ailments.
The cold conditions extended to Punjab, where cities like Faridkot and Bathinda hovered around 3–4°C. Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala also witnessed sharp drops in minimum temperatures. In neighbouring Haryana, Narnaul, Hisar and parts of the northern belt reported lows between 3.5°C and 7°C.
Delhi continued to struggle with both cold and pollution. The minimum temperature is expected to fall to around 5–6°C, nearly four degrees below normal. While the city woke up to dense fog and high humidity, the air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ range with the AQI touching 323 in the morning. Some areas such as Bawana reported even higher pollution levels. The combination of icy winds and stagnant air has worsened breathing difficulty, particularly for vulnerable groups.
The IMD has also issued a snowfall and cold-wave alert for the northern hills and adjoining plains. Fresh snow is expected in parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, which may further intensify the cold in the plains over the next few days. Authorities have advised people to limit early morning exposure, use adequate winter protection and take precautions against smog.
With temperatures forecastin North India to dip further, the coming week is likely to remain challenging for outdoor workers, schoolchildren and farmers, who are already struggling with fog-related disruptions and health issues.
