Delhi records season’s coldest morning as fog hits flights, chill spreads nationwide
Delhi woke up to the coldest morning of the season on Saturday. The temperature dropped to 4.2 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department confirmed the reading. The sharp dip followed unusual rainfall on Friday. That rain already pulled temperatures down across Delhi and nearby regions.
Meanwhile, dense fog covered large parts of the capital. As a result, visibility fell sharply during early morning hours. The IMD said cold day conditions may appear at isolated places in Delhi-NCR. It also warned that moderate to dense fog will continue during late night and early morning hours over the next few days.
At the same time, daytime relief remained limited. On Friday, the maximum temperature reached 19.7 degrees Celsius. That figure stayed slightly above normal. However, weak sunshine failed to offset the biting cold at night. The IMD noted that Friday’s minimum of 4.6 degrees already stood well below the seasonal average. Saturday’s drop pushed the mercury even lower.
Earlier, Delhi last saw similar temperatures in early December 2023. On December 4 and 5, the city recorded 5.6 degrees. On December 1, it touched 5.7 degrees. This winter, however, Saturday marked the coldest morning so far.
Fog Disrupts Flights, Airlines Issue Alerts
As temperatures fell, fog thickened across the city. The fog mixed with smog and reduced visibility near the airport runway area. Consequently, flight operations slowed.
The Delhi airport confirmed that flights operated under CAT III conditions. Officials warned that sudden visibility changes could cause delays or cancellations. In response, airlines issued advisories. Air India and IndiGo urged passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport. Both airlines offered rescheduling and refund options for affected यात्र.
Meanwhile, airport authorities deployed additional ground staff across terminals. They aimed to manage passenger movement and provide assistance. Officials expect operations to improve gradually once weather conditions ease.
Cold Tightens Grip Over Northern States
Beyond Delhi, the cold spread across north and northwest India. Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Bihar and parts of Madhya Pradesh reported cold day conditions at isolated locations. Dense to very dense fog is likely over Rajasthan, which may disrupt road and rail traffic.
In addition, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand recorded sharp cold. Frost appeared at isolated places. Weather agencies expect light snowfall and rain over higher reaches. Lower hills may also receive light precipitation. As a result, temperatures across adjoining plains may fall further.
Most northern and northwestern states remain under yellow alerts. Authorities warned that weather conditions could disrupt daily routines, transport and visibility.
Southern States Brace for Heavy Rain
In contrast, southern India faces a different weather threat. Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal may receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places. An active system over the Bay of Bengal is driving the weather.
The IMD issued an orange alert for these regions. It warned of waterlogging, local flooding and disruption to normal life. Coastal districts may also face squally weather. Wind speeds may reach 40 to 50 kmph, with gusts up to 60 kmph.
Sea conditions will remain rough to very rough over the southwest Bay of Bengal, the Gulf of Mannar and nearby coastal areas. Fishermen have received clear advice to stay ashore until conditions improve. Overall, India now faces extreme contrasts, with biting cold in the north and heavy rain battering the south.
