North India is reeling under intense cold, dense fog and snowfall as western disturbance remains active. IMD reports visibility below 50 metres in many regions, disrupting flights and trains. Heavy snowfall in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand has intensified chill in plains.
Cold Wave Grips North, No Relief Expected Soon
New Delhi: Large parts of North India and Central India are currently reeling under heavy fog, intense cold, and a cold wave. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), dense fog enveloped many areas from Jammu and Kashmir to Bihar and Odisha, reducing visibility to below 50 meters. This has directly impacted air and rail traffic.
Due to fog, approximately 66 flights were cancelled in Delhi, while many trains were delayed. The minimum temperature in the capital was recorded at 9.1 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 17.4 degrees Celsius. The IMD has already issued a red alert for Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, and has not predicted any relief until next week.
Continuous snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand has blanketed the mountains. In the Kashmir Valley, the minimum temperature was minus 7 degrees Celsius in Gulmarg, minus 6.2 degrees Celsius in Pahalgam, and 0.1 degrees Celsius in Srinagar. The Bandipora-Gurez road has been reopened following snowfall, although the Mughal Road remains closed. Temperatures in Himachal's Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, and upper Shimla have dropped below zero.
Air quality in Delhi-NCR has improved due to strong winds. Delhi's AQI dropped to 236, following which GRAP-3 restrictions were lifted. Non-essential construction work and other activities have been allowed to resume.
Cold and fog persist across northwest, eastern, and northeastern India due to the activation of a western disturbance. According to meteorologists, the subtropical westerly jet stream and strong winds in the upper atmosphere are further aggravating this harsh winter. The IMD predicts that there will be no relief from the cold for the next few days.
