By Neha Madaan
India experienced 167 instances of cold waves, the highest in 13 years, across different stations in December, according to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). In 2017, December saw just 30 such instances.
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This winter has been marked by frequent western disturbances, which provided precipitation in the form of rain and snow in parts of north India, [AK Srivastava, head of the climate research division at IMD, Pune,] said.
This time, the cold northerly winds were affecting several regions for a longer duration too. "If these winds blow for a short duration, they reach as far as central India. However, if they blow for several days, say four to five days, they reach as far as Rayalaseema and Telangana," said Palawat.
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