Delhi shivers at 3.2°C as dense fog and cold wave grip north india, IMD issues fresh warning
New Delhi – A sharp cold wave continued to grip North India on Monday as temperatures dropped further and dense fog disrupted daily life. Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 3.2 degrees Celsius, intensifying winter conditions across the region. The India Meteorological Department warned that the cold spell will persist in the coming days.
First, the IMD issued a fresh cold wave alert for Delhi, the National Capital Region, and several northern states. The warning covers Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Uttarakhand. The department said icy winds and low night temperatures will dominate weather patterns.
Meanwhile, dense fog continued to reduce visibility across large parts of North India. The IMD predicted thick fog in Delhi and NCR till January 17, 2026. Weather officials said early morning hours will remain the worst affected.
According to IMD data, Safdarjung, Delhi’s primary weather station, recorded a minimum temperature of 3.2 degrees Celsius on Monday. The reading marked one of the coldest mornings of the season. On Sunday, the mercury dropped even further in some areas.
Earlier, Delhi saw temperatures fall to 2.9 degrees Celsius. Ayanagar recorded the sharpest dip. Palam reported a minimum of 3 degrees Celsius. Safdarjung had logged 4 degrees Celsius on Sunday, indicating rapid fluctuations during the cold wave.
As a result, transport services faced disruptions. Dense fog reduced visibility across key road corridors. Commuters reported slow-moving traffic during morning hours. Authorities urged drivers to exercise caution.
At the same time, aviation operations came under stress. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport issued an advisory for passengers due to low visibility. Airport officials asked travellers to check flight status before leaving for the airport.
Later, airport authorities imposed CAT III conditions to manage flight operations. CAT III allows aircraft to land in extremely low visibility using advanced navigation systems. However, officials warned of delays and cancellations.
In an advisory issued on social media platform X, airport authorities said flight operations continue under CAT III conditions because of dense fog. They urged passengers to stay in touch with airlines for real-time updates. Several early morning flights reported delays.
Besides weather challenges, air quality remained a concern. Delhi’s Air Quality Index stayed in the ‘poor’ category as cold conditions trapped pollutants close to the ground. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed the AQI at 291 on Sunday at 4 PM.
An AQI reading between 201 and 300 falls under the ‘poor’ category. Experts say such levels can cause breathing discomfort, especially for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory issues. Doctors advised residents to limit outdoor exposure during early mornings.
Elsewhere, cold wave and fog conditions spread across other states. Rajasthan reported dense fog in several districts. Bihar also saw similar conditions during night and morning hours.
In addition, northeastern states faced winter weather impacts. The IMD forecast fog and cold conditions in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Manipur, and Nagaland. Officials said temperatures in hill areas may fall further.
Looking ahead, the IMD said relief remains unlikely in the immediate term. Weather models indicate continued cold winds from the northwest. As a result, night temperatures may stay below normal across North India.
In conclusion, Delhi and surrounding regions continue to battle intense winter conditions. Low temperatures, dense fog, flight disruptions, and poor air quality together define the current weather phase. Authorities remain on alert as the cold wave shows no sign of easing soon.
