Fri Nov 21 02:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Cold Wave Grips North India, Delhi Chokes on Toxic Air

New Delhi, India – A harsh cold wave has swept across North India, with temperatures plummeting and air quality deteriorating to hazardous levels. Madhya Pradesh is experiencing its 15th day of intense cold, while Delhi-NCR struggles with severe air pollution.

In Madhya Pradesh, residents are battling frigid temperatures. Over the past 24 hours, 12 cities, including Bhopal and Indore, recorded temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. Rajgarh was the coldest, with a low of 7.5 degrees Celsius. Dense fog blanketed Jabalpur. A cold wave alert has been issued for Indore, Bhopal, Rajgarh, Shajapur, and Sehore.

The cold snap is attributed to snowfall in the Himalayan states.

Uttarakhand is experiencing a dry cold due to the lack of rainfall. Temperatures in Badrinath have dipped below -6 degrees Celsius, and fog is prevalent in the plains during the morning hours. While the dry spell continues for now, meteorologists predict snowfall in the coming days.

However, the biggest concern remains the air quality in Delhi-NCR. On Thursday, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to 506, placing it in the “hazardous” category. The city was ranked as the most polluted city globally by IQAir, an international air quality monitoring organization.

While North India grapples with these challenging conditions, other states report varying weather patterns:

  • Rajasthan: The impact of cold winds from North India has lessened, leading to a slight increase in minimum temperatures in cities like Sikar, Churu, and Mount Abu.
  • Himachal Pradesh: The state has experienced a significant rainfall deficit in November, with rainfall 89% below normal. The dry conditions are expected to continue.
  • Haryana: Eight cities in Haryana are recording temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. Haze and fog are expected during mornings and nights.

The cold wave and air pollution highlight the urgent need for climate action and pollution control measures across the region.

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