Jaipur: A severe cold wave has gripped Rajasthan, with several districts recording minimum temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius and some parts approaching freezing point.
Fatehpur was the coldest in the state with a minimum temperature of 2.2 degrees Celsius, followed by Lunaksar at 2.9 degrees Celsius. Vanasthali recorded 7.8 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures in Alwar, Pilani, Sikar, Karauli, Dausa, Jhunjhunu and Nagaur ranged between 3.8 and 6.3 degrees Celsius, signalling a sharp intensification of winter conditions.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a cold wave alert for three days from Thursday and placed parts of the state under a yellow alert. Sikar, Churu and Jhunjhunu are specifically under yellow alert for December 4 and 5, with the Met office warning that cold conditions will strengthen further.
Jaipur Meteorological Centre Director Radheshyam Sharma said skies will remain clear across Rajasthan over the next week, but icy winds are expected to pick up, leading to a further fall of 1–2 degrees Celsius in night temperatures in the next 24 to 48 hours. Daytime temperatures have also dropped noticeably, with all major cities staying below 30 degrees Celsius.
Sirohi was the coldest during the day at 21.6 degrees Celsius, while places such as Sriganganagar, Phalodi, Bikaner, Churu, Karauli and Hanumangarh reported below-normal maximum temperatures. The chill has been particularly harsh in the Shekhawati region, where temperatures dipped to around 6 degrees Celsius in some pockets, prompting authorities to advise residents to take adequate precautions as the cold wave is expected to persist, especially in northern Rajasthan.
(Inputs from IANS)