PremiumCold wave in India live updates: India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday predicted that the western Himalayan region is likely to see rainfall and snowfall for the next two days. Following this, a fresh spell of cold wave and dense fog is likely to engulf parts of north India.
As per IMD, Cold Wave to severe cold wave conditions likely over some parts of North Rajasthan and Cold wave condition in isolated pockets likely over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana & Chandigarh on 15th, 16th & 17th; over Interior Karnataka on 13th & 14th and over Madhya Pradesh on 16th & 17th January.
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There are people having a single-layered blanket and brave extreme cold conditions.
With the steady dip in mercury levels in Delhi, the destitute are left with only one option to huddle around bonfires and shiver. "We are facing a lot of trouble, there is no place in 'Rain Basera', night shelters for homeless people in Delhi, we do not have a single blanket, we are left with no food and drink," Roshan, a homeless, resorting to the bonfire at Delhi's Kashmere gate area, said, adding that he is drinking pipe water and sleep in the filth.
To a question why he is not shifting to 'Rain Basera', Roshan said, "We tried to go there, but it is full to its capacity. People snake up in a queue outside because the entry starts at 6 pm." The national capital's Safdarjung observatory recorded a minimum temperature of 9 degrees Celcius, which is likely to dip further this forthcoming week, IMD said.
As the cold wave is holding its sway over the parts of North India including the national capital, shelter homes have been opened for homeless people. The shelter homes, 'Rain Basera' have beds, blankets, breakfast, and ample space for the homeless people.
Amjad Khan, Hailing from Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal thanked the government for opening of shelter homes.
"The government has done good management for homeless people here, we used to sleep outside here, but since the administration has made these temporary houses, we are shifted here. Tea and breakfast are available in the morning, blankets are also available here," he said.
A severe cold wave is likely to wallop Delhi on January 16 and 17 and minimum temperatures in the city may drop to two to four degrees Celsius, Mahesh Palawat, vice president (meteorology and climate change), of Skymet Weather said.
Western disturbance and consequent stronger surface winds have significantly improved fog conditions over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and western Uttar Pradesh. However, dense to very dense fog continues over eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. "Severe cold wave conditions (are) likely over some parts of north Rajasthan and cold wave conditions in isolated pockets likely over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana on January 15, 16 and 17," it said.
A fresh spell of cold wave in northwest India next week would see mercury dropping by three to five degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department said on Thursday even as the chilly conditions abated slightly in many states providing relief to people. The meteorological office, in a statement, said, "Minimum temperatures over many parts of northwest India are very likely to fall by three five degrees from January 14." "Severe cold wave conditions (are) likely over some parts of north Rajasthan and cold wave conditions in isolated pockets likely over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana on January 15, 16 and 17," it said.
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