Delhi shivers at 3.2°C as dense fog blankets NCR; IMD warns of cold wave
Delhi shivers at 3.2°C as dense fog blankets NCR; IMD warns of cold wave
IMD issues fresh cold wave warning for Delhi, NCR and north India as dense fog and frigid temps grip the capital; IGI airport operates under CAT III.
Delhi woke up to a bitter chill as the India Meteorological Department issued a fresh cold wave warning for the national capital, the NCR, and large parts of north India. The morning air carried dense fog that reduced visibility and sent temperatures tumbling across the region. The lowest temperature in the city was recorded at 3.2°C at Safdarjung, with nearby Ayanagar around 2.9°C and Palam near 3°C.
Flights and travel routines were affected as Indira Gandhi International Airport began operating under CAT III conditions due to the thick fog, with authorities advising passengers to recheck flight statuses. The weather bulletin also forecast that dense fog could persist for the Delhi and NCR regions until January 17, 2026. IMD warned of a cold wave stretching across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Uttarakhand, with similar conditions likely in portions of Rajasthan, Bihar and several northeastern states.
Residents were urged to bundle up in multiple layers and stay indoors during peak fog hours. Schools and offices in parts of the region were bracing for slow commutes, while drivers were asked to exercise extra caution on fog-laden roads. As authorities monitor conditions, officials reminded people to wear warm clothing and to stay updated with official advisories for travel and outdoor activities.
With temperatures dipping, this winter episode underscores the capital’s annual battle with cold snaps that, while not uncommon, disrupt daily life and logistics. Forecasters say the chill could ease gradually as a new spell of weather moves in later in the week, but for now Delhi remains in the grip of the cold wave, cloaked in dense fog.
