A SEVERE cold wave has gripped parts of northern India, with temperatures falling below -5C (23F) in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Several regions, including Delhi, get enveloped in a thick layer of fog in the early mornings and at night. Poor visibility has also caused disruptions in flight and train services, making it difficult for people to travel.

India's weather department has said that the cold wave is likely to persist for the next couple of days.

The famous Dal Lake and other water bodies in Kashmir have partially frozen, making it hard for boatmen to ferry passengers and tourists. The low temperatures have also frozen water pipelines and disrupted road transport, making it difficult for people to access daily necessities.

Dropping temperatures and dense fog have also disrupted train schedules in several regions of northern India. The Indian Railways carries some 23 million passengers daily and it's considered the backbone of the country's transport system. Many trains have been running late by several hours, throwing people's travel plans into chaos.

Delhi has also been reeling under a cold wave. Some areas have recorded temperatures as low as 7C. The cold snap has been particularly hard for Delhi's homeless people who mostly sleep on pavements.

The cold wave has also been causing health issues, especially in Delhi, which also sees severe pollution levels during winter months.

Due to foggy conditions, India's weather department has asked people to be cautious while driving and has urged them to use fog lights for enhanced visibility on the roads. It has also asked people to avoid going out unless there is an emergency and to cover their faces when outdoors.

Kerala reels as mercury soars

At a time when the rest of the country is feeling the winter chill with minimum temperatures falling with dense fog conditions, shooting mercury levels in Kerala are giving the state an early feel of the summer.

Thiruvananthapuram city recorded its highest December temperature of 36.2°C. This is the highest recorded temperature between 1991 and 2020. The earliest highest was 35.5°C recorded on December 28, 2006.

Thiruvananthapuram airport recorded its highest of 35.2°C in December in the same 30-year period. The earlier highest was 34.4°C on December 17, 2007.

Kozhikode airport recorded 34.5°C on Saturday while the highest recorded here was 35.6°C on December 31, 2015.