Jaipur, Jan 2 (NationPress) A surge in cold conditions is anticipated in Rajasthan starting Sunday, with nighttime temperatures expected to plummet to approximately 4 degrees Celsius in various regions, as per Radheshyam Sharma, Director of the Meteorological Centre, Jaipur.

He indicated that a cold wave will envelop the state, resulting in a decrease of 4 to 6 degrees Celsius in the minimum temperatures across numerous areas.

In response to the biting cold, Anganwadi centres in Sri Ganganagar have been suspended until January 10.

The district continues to face harsh cold, prompting the District Collector to announce holidays for Anganwadi centres from January 2 to January 10.

On Thursday, most urban centers recorded minimum temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius, although Sirohi logged the lowest at 7.2 degrees Celsius. Interestingly, in various cities, daytime and nighttime temperatures were nearly identical, showcasing the ongoing cold spell.

Sri Ganganagar registered the season's lowest maximum temperature, while Jaipur, Alwar, Bikaner, and Churu recorded maximum temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius.

Cloudy skies prevailed across several districts, including Jaipur and Sikar, enhancing the chill. Fog began to settle in northern districts late Thursday, and since the New Year commenced, the combination of cold and thick fog has resulted in significant disruptions.

On Friday morning, visibility dropped to around 50 meters in several areas, including Jaipur, Bharatpur, Sikar, and Dausa, due to dense fog.

Flight operations in Jaisalmer and Udaipur may also be impacted, prompting IndiGo Airlines to issue a travel advisory for passengers flying to and from these cities.

The Meteorological Department has urged the public to stay vigilant in the coming days as cold wave conditions and fog are anticipated to linger, especially in the northern and eastern regions of the state.

Over the past 24 hours, influenced by a Western Disturbance, light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms was noted in sections of the Jodhpur, Bikaner, Ajmer, Jaipur, and Bharatpur divisions. The highest recorded rainfall was 26 mm from Shri Dungargarh in Bikaner district.

On Thursday, light rain was also reported in certain areas of the Jaipur and Bharatpur divisions. This winter rainfall has brought relief and joy to farmers, as agricultural specialists affirm its benefits for the ongoing rabi crops.

Simultaneously, the Meteorological Department has issued a double alert for Friday.

An orange alert for very dense fog has been declared for numerous districts, including Bharatpur, Dausa, Deeg, Dholpur, Jhunjhun, Karauli, Khairthal-Tijara, Kotputli-Behror, Sawai Madhopur, Sikar, Churu, Hanumangarh, and Sri Ganganagar.

Residents and travelers have been advised to remain cautious as visibility could sharply decrease in these regions.