Gurgaon: The city’s residents woke up to a cold and foggy morning on Thursday, with dense fog reducing visibility to below 50m in several areas and delaying sunshine until around 11.30am. Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions were also observed at isolated locations.The minimum temperature was 5.3°C, 1.8°C higher than the previous day, while the maximum temperature stood at 18.2°C, 0.2°C lower than Wednesday. Weather officials said cold conditions are likely to continue over the next few days due to prevailing winter systems over northwest India. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), a subtropical westerly jet stream, with core winds of around 125 knots at 12.6km above mean sea level, are currently prevailing over northwest India and influencing winter weather across the region. Moreover, a western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from Jan 19, which may bring a brief spell of precipitation, the department added.As per the forecast, Haryana is expected to see dry weather from Jan 15 to Jan 17. Light rainfall is likely at isolated places from Jan 18 to Jan 20, followed by dry conditions thereafter. IMD said there is no significant change expected in minimum temperatures over the next 24 hours, but night temperatures may rise by 3 to 5°C over the following four days.Dense fog is likely to persist in parts of the state through the week, with forecasts indicating dense fog at isolated places from Jan 17 onwards, even as severe cold conditions gradually ease.Residents were advised to exercise caution during early morning travel due to low visibility, with fog continuing to affect highways and major roads connecting the city with Delhi and other NCR areas.“Dense fog and cold weather may look like seasonal inconveniences, but for health, they quietly raise the stakes. When the temperature drops, blood vessels tend to tighten. This natural response helps conserve body heat, but it also pushes blood pressure up and makes the heart work harder,” said Dr P Venkata Krishnan, senior consultant and director, internal medicine, Narayana Hospital.“For people with existing heart conditions, high blood pressure, or diabetes, this extra strain can increase the risk of chest pain, irregular heartbeats, or even heart attacks. Dense fog adds another layer of concern as pollutants and fine particles often get trapped close to the ground,” he said.Dr Krishnan added that cold weather often leads to reduced physical activity, irregular routines and lower water intake, all of which can increase health risks. “Hydration is another silent issue. Cold weather dulls the sense of thirst, so people drink less water. This can thicken the blood slightly and increase the risk of clot formation, particularly in older people. Staying warm, avoiding early morning exertion, drinking enough fluids, and not ignoring subtle symptoms can make winter far safer for our body,” he said.
