GUWAHATI: As the new year unfolds, Assam, along with much of Northeast India, is experiencing a severe cold wave that has swept across the region, bringing temperatures plummeting to chilling lows. The effect of the cold wave, which is being felt across Guwahati and the rest of Assam, has intensified the winter chill, making bonfires a common sight as people try to stave off the biting cold.
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According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cold wave is a result of westerly winds bringing frigid air from the northern mountainous regions. The drop in temperatures has led to widespread fog and low clouds over large parts of the country, including Assam, which is seeing dense fog in some areas. In addition, patches of fog have been detected over coastal Andhra Pradesh and several parts of the northeast.
In Assam, towns and cities such as Guwahati, Jorhat, and Dibrugarh are feeling the brunt of the cold, with daytime temperatures remaining under 15°C, while night temperatures are expected to dip further, making it one of the coldest winters in recent years. The cold wave is also expected to bring ground frost in certain areas, particularly in higher altitudes, with districts like Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, and Karbi Anglong seeing the mercury drop.
The cold wave, which has affected much of North India, is now pushing into the plains and valleys of the northeast, including Assam and Meghalaya. According to the IMD, temperatures are expected to remain low for the next few days, with isolated pockets of dense fog persisting through the weekend. As a result, the chilly conditions are likely to continue, keeping the residents bundled up for the foreseeable future.
While some areas in Assam are reporting fog, the rest of the region is bracing for more intense cold conditions, including a significant dip in night temperatures. The worst-hit areas, according to weather forecasts, are likely to be the plains, with districts in the upper Assam and Barak Valley regions being most affected by the persistent chill.
A weather alert has been issued for parts of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. The IMD has warned of "dense fog" in isolated areas of the northeastern states, with Assam expected to witness cold conditions throughout the week. Temperatures are likely to remain low, particularly in the hill stations and higher altitudes.
The IMD also issued a frost alert for places like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, where ground frost is expected to affect agriculture and daily life. The forecast indicates that these weather conditions will persist at least until the weekend, making it a challenging start to the year for residents in the region.
While many parts of the country, including Delhi, have seen a slight reprieve with temperatures hovering around 10°C in the morning, Assam's temperatures are likely to dip even further in the coming days. The IMD forecasts that the maximum temperatures in Assam could remain well below 15°C, with cold conditions expected to persist. The cold wave is expected to intensify, particularly with light rain and possible snowfall in some mountainous areas of the northeast, which could bring an additional drop in temperatures.
The cold wave’s impact will be felt throughout the northeastern states, with Guwahati and surrounding areas likely to see a continued drop in temperatures, reaching their coldest by mid-week. Light rainfall is also expected in parts of Assam and Meghalaya, adding to the overall chill.
This cold wave is not only affecting Assam but also large parts of North India. The IMD has issued severe cold alerts for regions like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and the surrounding areas of Delhi, with dense fog making travel difficult. Regions like Bihar are also bracing for continued cold and dense fog conditions.
