Intense chill grips Telangana; Sankranti to bring warmth amid dense fog alerts

Telangana continues to experience biting cold with single-digit minimum temperatures across several districts, including Hyderabad, Adilabad, and Kumram Bheem Asifabad. The IMD has issued a Yellow Alert, warning of below-normal temperatures for the next two days.

Hyderabad: Hyderabad and several districts in Telangana continue to witness an intense chill, with multiple areas recording single-digit minimum temperatures. However, forecasts indicate a gradual rise in temperatures towards the middle of this week.

On Sunday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)-Hyderabad in its forecast stated “Minimum temperatures are likely to be below normal by 2 degree Celsius to 3 degree Celsius, at isolated pockets over Telangana during the next 2 days”. The intense chill is expected to persist for the next 48 hours under a ‘Yellow Alert’ issued by IMD-New Delhi, before temperatures gradually rise.

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In Hyderabad and its surrounding districts, the minimum temperatures between Saturday night and early hours of Sunday dipped into single digits. Moinabad (Rangareddy) recorded 9 degree Celsius, while Moula Ali region recorded a minimum of 9.8 degree Celsius. In the districts, Sirpur (Kumram Bheem Asifabad) recorded 7 degree Celsius while Bela in Adilabad recorded 7.9.

According to Telangana Development Planning Society (TGDPS), this marks a significant departure from last year. At this time in 2025, the minimum temperature in Bela was 11 degree Celsius, a clear indicator of the extended winter conditions prevailing this year.

Similarly, on the same day last year, the Moula Ali region recorded 15.5 degree Celsius (compared to 9.8 recorded this year) and Moinabad recorded 14.3, compared with 9 degree Celsius this year.

Beyond the seasonal chill, a significant blanket of dense fog is currently posing a major challenge for commuters across Telangana, particularly during the early morning hours between 5.30 am and 9.30 am.

According to weather officials, moisture accumulation at lower atmospheric levels is causing visibility to drop below 50 meters in several suburban pockets and along key transit corridors.

The Hyderabad–Vijayawada highway (NH65), especially the stretch from LB Nagar to Choutuppal, the Hyderabad–Nagpur highway (NH44), and the Outer Ring Road (ORR) have been flagged as high-risk zones.

In light of road travel during Sankranti, the Cyberabad and Hyderabad Police have issued a joint advisory urging motorists to avoid early morning travel if possible.

Motorists are cautioned to use fog lights and indicators, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, and strictly avoid high-beam headlights, which can further distort vision in thick mist.