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1 Jan 2026·Source: The Hindu
2 min
Environment & EcologyEnvironment & EcologyEnvironment & EcologyNEWS

Assam Faces Unprecedented Cold Wave, Schools Closed Amidst Extreme Weather

Assam experiences its coldest spell in years, leading to school closures and raising concerns about climate change impacts.

Assam Faces Unprecedented Cold Wave, Schools Closed Amidst Extreme Weather

Photo by Sylvester Sabo

Assam is grappling with an unprecedented cold spell, with temperatures plummeting to record lows, leading to the closure of schools in Guwahati for a week. This extreme weather event, characterized by dense fog and biting cold, has disrupted daily life and raised concerns about public health, especially for vulnerable populations.

Such events are increasingly linked to climate change and highlight the need for robust disaster management strategies and climate resilience planning. For UPSC, this is relevant for Geography (GS1), Environment & Ecology (GS3), and Disaster Management (GS3).

मुख्य तथ्य

1.

Assam experiencing an unprecedented cold spell.

2.

Guwahati schools shut for a week due to cold wave.

3.

Temperatures plummeted to record lows.

UPSC परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण

1.

Geographical factors influencing cold waves and fog in India (GS1)

2.

Impacts of climate change on extreme weather events (GS3)

3.

Disaster management strategies for cold waves and other climate-induced hazards (GS3)

4.

Vulnerability and adaptation strategies for specific regions like Northeast India (GS3)

5.

Public health implications of extreme weather (GS2/GS3)

दृश्य सामग्री

Assam Cold Wave: Affected Region & Broader Cold Wave Zone in India

This map highlights Assam, the state currently experiencing an unprecedented cold wave, with a specific marker for Guwahati where schools have been closed. It also shows the broader region of North and Northeast India typically prone to cold waves during winter, emphasizing the geographical context of such extreme weather events.

Loading interactive map...

📍Guwahati, Assam📍Delhi📍Patna, Bihar
और जानकारी

पृष्ठभूमि

India, particularly its northern and northeastern regions, experiences significant weather variations during winter. Cold waves are a recurring phenomenon, but their intensity and frequency are increasingly being linked to global climate change patterns. The Indo-Gangetic plains and parts of Northeast India are particularly vulnerable due to geographical factors and socio-economic conditions.

नवीनतम घटनाक्रम

Assam is currently experiencing an unprecedented cold spell with record low temperatures, leading to school closures and public health concerns. This extreme weather event, characterized by dense fog and biting cold, disrupts daily life and highlights the immediate need for robust disaster management and climate resilience strategies. Such events underscore the regional impacts of climate change.

बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)

1. Consider the following statements regarding cold wave conditions in North and Northeast India during winter: 1. The southward shift of the Subtropical Westerly Jet Stream often contributes to the advection of cold air masses into the region. 2. Strong anticyclonic conditions over the Indo-Gangetic plains lead to clear skies and calm winds, intensifying nocturnal radiation cooling. 3. Western Disturbances, while bringing precipitation, do not directly cause cold wave conditions but can be followed by a drop in temperature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: A

Statement 1 is correct: The southward shift of the Subtropical Westerly Jet Stream during winter brings cold air from higher latitudes into North India. Statement 2 is correct: Anticyclonic conditions (high pressure) result in stable air, clear skies, and calm winds, which are ideal for rapid heat loss from the ground through radiation, leading to significant temperature drops. Statement 3 is incorrect: Western Disturbances (WDs) themselves are not the direct cause of cold waves, but the passage of a WD is often followed by a strong surge of cold, dry air from the north/northwest, leading to a significant drop in temperature and cold wave conditions. So, they are indirectly linked to cold waves, not that they 'do not directly cause' but rather set the stage for the cold air advection.

2. With reference to fog formation in the Indo-Gangetic plains during winter, consider the following statements: 1. Radiation fog is common in the region due to rapid nocturnal cooling under clear, calm conditions. 2. Advection fog primarily forms when warm, moist air from the Bay of Bengal moves over the colder land surface. 3. The presence of high levels of particulate matter in the atmosphere can enhance fog formation and persistence. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: D

Statement 1 is correct: Radiation fog is indeed very common in the Indo-Gangetic plains during winter due to clear skies, calm winds, and rapid cooling of the ground at night. Statement 2 is correct: While radiation fog is prevalent, advection fog can also occur when moist air from the Bay of Bengal moves westward over the colder land surface, especially in the eastern parts of the plains. Statement 3 is correct: Particulate matter (aerosols, pollutants) acts as condensation nuclei, providing surfaces for water vapor to condense upon, thereby facilitating fog formation and increasing its density and persistence, especially in polluted urban areas.

3. In the context of India's approach to climate-induced disasters and extreme weather events, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) 2016 aims to make India disaster resilient and significantly reduce the loss of lives and assets. 2. The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) includes a specific mission dedicated solely to addressing extreme weather events and their immediate impacts. 3. State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF) are the primary funds available with State Governments for immediate relief in response to notified disasters. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: B

Statement 1 is correct: The NDMP 2016 (and its subsequent updates) is indeed India's comprehensive plan for disaster risk reduction, aiming for resilience and minimizing losses. Statement 2 is incorrect: The NAPCC comprises eight missions focusing on various aspects of climate change mitigation and adaptation (e.g., Solar Energy, Enhanced Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Habitat, Water, Himalayan Ecosystem, Green India, Sustainable Agriculture, Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change). While these missions indirectly contribute to resilience against extreme weather, there isn't a mission 'solely dedicated' to immediate extreme weather impacts; that falls more under the purview of the NDMP and IMD. Statement 3 is correct: SDRF is the primary fund available with state governments for meeting the expenses for immediate relief operations in the aftermath of a notified disaster.

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