Cold wave conditions grip Bihar, Punjab, Haryana; IMD issues orange alert in Bihar

Cold wave conditions gripped Bihar on Friday (December 26, 2025), with the mercury falling below 10°C in several districts, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The IMD issued an orange alert for dense to very dense fog along with cold day conditions across several parts of the State, advising people to stay cautious.

Aurangabad and Sabour in Bhagalpur were the coldest places in the State at 7.4°C, followed by Gayaji at 7.6, Bhagalpur and Sheikhpura at 8.9 each, Valmiki Nagar in West Champaran and Dehri at 9°C each, Jehanabad at 9.3 and Saharsa at 9.5°C, the IMD said.

An orange alert for dense to very dense fog in East Champaran, West Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Patna, Bhojpur, Buxar, Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Arwal, and Jehanabad has been issued.

Low visibility due to fog was also reported from different parts of the State on Friday (December 26, 2025), it said. People have been advised to take necessary precautions, particularly during early morning hours, and authorities have been urged to remain vigilant as reduced visibility could disrupt road, rail and air traffic, said an official of the IMD, Patna.

Punjab, Haryana reel under intense cold

With winter at its peak, Punjab and Haryana were gripped by intense cold on Friday (December 26, 2025).

In Punjab, Narnaul was the coldest, with the minimum temperature recorded at 5.5°C, according to the local meteorological department. Amritsar recorded a low of 8.7°C, 5 degrees above the season’s normal, while Ludhiana and Patiala recorded minimum temperatures at 8.4 and 7.7°C respectively, around two notches above normal, the Met office said.

Pathankot recorded a minimum temperature of 6.2°C and Bathinda recorded a low of 8.2°C, while Gurdaspur and Faridkot recorded 6 and 8.5°C respectively.

Chandigarh, the joint capital of the two states, saw a minimum temperature of 8.8°C.

In the neighbouring Haryana, the minimum temperature in Ambala was recorded at 8.9°C, two degrees above normal, while Hisar registered a low of 6.1°C.

Karnal witnessed a low of 8°C, one degree above normal.

Rohtak, Bhiwani and Sirsa registered minimum temperatures of 7.8, 7.5 and 8.6°C, respectively.