In recent weeks, the whole northern Indian subcontinent has been gripped by a severe cold wave, with temperatures in the Himalayas plummeting to sub-zero levels in the top regions. Heavy rainfall has exacerbated the situation, delivering a chill to the air across the region during the day.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning that extensive rain and snowfall is expected to persist throughout the day today.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has projected a decrease in minimum temperature of 3-5 degrees Celsius over northwest India. Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh are among the states and areas that may witness a decrease in the lowest temperature this year.

What is causing this to happen?

According to IMD experts, two western disturbances are responsible for the rainy spell across northern India, which has resulted in a persistent cold in the region. "Due to the convergence of two WDs in quick succession, there was a protracted period of rain across northwest India. Because of the moisture intrusion from the Arabian Sea, the impact was more severe. We are anticipating a convergence of winds from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal over Central India, resulting in widespread and severe rain in Madhya Pradesh and surrounding areas. As the WD passes away, extremely cold northerly winds coming from the snow-covered Himalayas are expected to bring minimum temperatures in northwest India down to freezing "M Mohapatra, the director-general of IMD, expressed his views.

More snow is forecast for the mountains in the coming weeks.

According to the International Meteorological Department's projection, the western Himalayan area is highly likely to get scattered to moderately widespread rainfall and/or snowfall through January 10. It went on to say that parts of Himachal Pradesh, which have been experiencing snowfall over the previous several days, may face even more heavy snow or rain in the coming days.

Meanwhile, torrential rain drenched Delhi on Sunday, causing the lowest temperature to rise to 13.8 degrees Celsius, which is seven degrees Celsius over the city's average.

The meteorological agency said that the city had received 8 millimeters of rain in the previous 24 hours as of 8.30 a.m. and that the relative humidity as of 5.30 p.m. was 95%, according to the data.

On Saturday, Delhi received the most precipitation in a single day for the first time in 22 years, resulting in the city's finest air quality in more than two months, despite the fact that the lowest temperature dropped to 15 degrees Celsius, eight degrees Celsius above average.