IMD Alert: North India’s Cold Wave Crisis and How to Stay Safe 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a cold wave alert for much of North and Central India, including Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, in effect until December 12, warning of a significant drop in minimum temperatures and dense fog conditions in states like Assam and Manipur.

This severe weather event poses serious health risks such as hypothermia and frostbite, particularly for vulnerable populations, and is expected to strain power grids, disrupt transport, and impact agriculture. Residents are advised to take immediate precautions, including wearing multiple layers of clothing, covering extremities, and seeking indoor warmth at the first sign of shivering, to mitigate the dangerous effects of the prolonged cold.

IMD Alert: North India’s Cold Wave Crisis and How to Stay Safe 

As a severe cold wave tightens its grip over northern and central India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued critical alerts for multiple states, forecasting a period of intense cold and dense fog that will test the resilience of millions. 

The Forecast: A State-by-State Breakdown of the Chill 

The IMD’s warning, active until December 12, outlines a widespread weather event. Cold wave conditions are expected to prevail over central, eastern, and northern Peninsular India from December 9-12, before extending to northwest and western India from December 10. 

The geographic spread is extensive, as shown in the table below: 

Meteorologically, this chill is driven by a combination of factors: a strong subtropical westerly jet stream influencing weather over East India, and the presence of a Western Disturbance over north Pakistan. The lowest minimum temperatures have already plunged to 2.8°C in Adampur, Punjab, marking one of the coldest mornings of the season in the plains. 

More Than Discomfort: Understanding the Real Risks of a Cold Wave 

A cold wave is not merely an inconvenience. Prolonged exposure to such low temperatures poses serious, life-threatening health risks. The IMD has explicitly warned of an increased likelihood of illnesses like flu, and more severe conditions such as frostbite. 

The human body maintains a delicate thermal balance. When exposed to cold, it loses heat through convection, conduction, radiation, and sweating. If heat loss outpaces the body’s ability to generate it, core temperature drops, leading to a cascade of dangers: 

• Hypothermia: This occurs when the body’s core temperature falls below 95°F (35°C). Early signs include uncontrollable shivering, fatigue, and loss of coordination. If exposure continues, it can lead to dilated pupils, a weak pulse, shallow breathing, and loss of consciousness. Shivering is the body’s first and most critical warning sign to seek warmth immediately. 

• Frostbite: This involves the freezing of skin and underlying tissues, most commonly affecting fingers, toes, nose, and ears. The skin may appear pale, waxy, and feel hard or numb. In severe cases, black blisters can form, requiring urgent medical attention. 

• Trench Foot & Chilblains: Caused by prolonged exposure to cold and damp conditions, these painful conditions involve damage to skin tissues and small blood vessels, leading to redness, swelling, blistering, and itching. 

Protecting Yourself: A Practical Guide to Cold Wave Safety 

Navigating this cold spell requires proactive measures. Your first line of defense is appropriate clothing. Experts recommend a minimum of three layers: 

• An inner layer (like wool or synthetic fabric) to wick moisture away from the skin. 

• A middle layer (like fleece or down) for insulation. 

• An outer layer that is wind-resistant and waterproof to break the chill. 

Crucially, up to 40% of body heat can be lost through the head, so wearing a hat is essential. Protect extremities with insulated gloves and waterproof, insulated boots. 

For those who must work outdoors, such as in agriculture or transport, extra vigilance is needed. Managers should schedule outdoor tasks for the warmest part of the day, ensure workers operate in pairs, and provide access to warm shelters. It is also vital to avoid alcohol, as it increases heat loss and impairs judgment. 

Cascading Impacts: From Power Grids to Public Health 

The ripple effects of a severe cold wave extend far beyond individual health, straining the very infrastructure of society. 

• Energy and Power Grids: Cold waves place enormous stress on the energy sector. Demand for heating spikes dramatically, pushing power grids to their limits. Historical analyses show that extreme cold is more likely than heat to cause disruptions in the energy network and provoke electricity supply cuts. In a concerning feedback loop, increased reliance on fossil-fuel-powered plants during these peaks can also lead to a significant rise in carbon emissions, as witnessed during the 2023 European heatwave. 

• Transportation and Economy: The dense fog forecast for Assam, Manipur, East UP, and Odisha will reduce visibility to 200 meters or less, severely disrupting air, rail, and road travel. This leads to widespread delays, economic losses, and heightened accident risks. 

• Agriculture: The IMD has explicitly warned of impacts on agriculture, crops, and livestock. Prolonged cold can damage winter crops (rabi), affect vegetable yields, and stress livestock, requiring farmers to take protective measures for their animals and produce. 

• Vulnerable Populations: The IMD has cautioned that above-normal cold wave conditions significantly increase health risks for senior citizens, children, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. Furthermore, stagnant atmospheric conditions during such periods can trap pollutants, worsening air quality in urban centers and exacerbating respiratory problems. 

Looking Ahead: Preparedness in a Changing Climate 

This December’s harsh cold wave aligns with the IMD’s seasonal outlook, which predicted “normal to below-normal minimum temperatures” and above-normal cold wave conditions for parts of northwest, central, and northeast India during the winter of 2025-26. 

While intense cold events are a feature of the regional climate, the broader context of climate change introduces new complexities. Scientific reviews note that climate change is affecting the frequency and intensity of all extreme weather events. The increasing volatility of weather patterns underscores the critical need for robust preparedness and adaptive infrastructure. 

As North India endures this bitter spell, the key lessons are clear: heed official warnings, understand the serious risks of cold exposure, and take informed steps to protect yourself, your family, and your community. Winter’s bite is formidable, but with knowledge and preparation, its worst effects can be mitigated.