Tuesday morning (31st December 2019) gave residents of Delhi- NCR the hope of sunlight. The maximum temperature recorded on Monday morning (30th December 2019) was 9.4°c. Even the capital’s air quality index was severe at 446. The year 1901 holds the record for coldest December month, and this year, December was the second coldest month ever.
As we all know, Northern India experienced one of the coldest winter seasons this December. Delhi winters broke a 120-yrs-old record, with its mean 1.7°c temperature this year.
Due to the extremely cold winter, we even witnessed a lot of fog and smog across the North, in states like Rajasthan, Delhi -NCR, Uttar Pradesh etc.
The second half of December and the first half of January mark the coldest days of the winter season. This winter, in many parts of the region, the maximum temperature on some days, has been nearly 10°c.
30th December was full of smog and fog, plus zero visibility in Noida from 7 am to 9: 30 am. People did not witness any sunlight in Noida the entire day. Sixty-eight people died in UP due to hazardous cold winds, blowing across Northern India.
What Causes Extreme Cold In The Indian Subcontinent?
Firstly the extreme cold is due to snowfall in the Himalayas, especially the mountain ranges. Secondly, it is due to the cold wave, which arrives from the west, through the western disturbance wind system; these winds pick up the moisture from the Mauritanian sea, and that intensifies the cold in Northern India.
This wind is also responsible for the rainfall in Northern and Northwestern India. All these factors vary every year, and apart from these, global warming, high levels of pollution and melting glaciers across the globe are also responsible for the extreme cold. Across the earth, the intensity and frequency of cold waves and heat waves have been increasing.
Measures You Can Take To Stay Warm And Safe This Winter
1. Stay at home and wear more innerwear and clothes that can keep you warm.
2. Avoid driving in the fog unless absolutely necessary.
3. Whenever there is sunlight, make sure to get your bit of Vitamin D.
4. If you are feeling cold and get a cough, rest and eat fruits which are rich in vitamin C like orange, lemon juice, hot water etc.
5. While driving, always be careful and alert. Don’t forget to use different reflectors and fog light in the car.
Some Climatic Changes We Witnessed In 2019
Last year, we had one of the hottest summers from April to June and we also had a different monsoon in 2019, with more rainfall across the whole country.
even a lot of farmers suffered this time. On 7th February 2019, hailstorms hit Delhi -NCR, which was quite astonishing for the residents.
Wishing u all a very happy new year.