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India Braces for Extreme Cold: Polar Vortex Drives Winter Chill
12 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Odisha issues yellow alerts as temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius.
- Kashmir Valley experiences sub-zero temperatures, impacting daily routines.
- Rohtang Pass closed due to severe cold wave conditions and bad weather.
Normal life in Odisha is significantly disrupted as an intense cold wave sweeps across the state, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue yellow alerts for several districts. Temperatures in at least 15 locations across 11 districts have fallen below 10 degrees Celsius.
In the Kashmir Valley, temperatures have plummeted to sub-zero levels, presenting considerable challenges for residents attempting to maintain their daily routines. Further north, cold wave conditions have necessitated the closure of the Rohtang Pass near Manali for vehicular traffic due to adverse weather.
The IMD predicts that the coming winter months, from December to February, will see an above-normal number of cold wave days across central, northwest, and northeast India, driven by the polar vortex. This is expected to increase health risks for vulnerable populations and cause transportation disruptions due to fog.
