Delhi recorded its coldest January morning on Saturday, with temperatures plunging to 4.2°C, the lowest this winter, following unusual rainfall on Friday that had already brought down mercury across the capital and neighbouring areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that cold day conditions, accompanied by moderate to dense fog during early morning and late-night hours, are likely across Delhi-NCR. Friday’s maximum temperature was 19.7°C, offering only brief daytime relief from the chilling nights.
Dense fog, combined with smog, sharply reduced visibility, disrupting aviation. Delhi airport operations are running under CAT III conditions, leading airlines such as Air India and IndiGo to advise passengers to check flight statuses, with options for rescheduling or refunds. Ground staff have been deployed to assist travellers, and flight operations are expected to stabilise gradually as visibility improves.
The cold wave spread across northern states, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Bihar, and parts of Madhya Pradesh, with dense fog affecting roads and railways. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand recorded frost at isolated locations, with light snowfall and rain likely in higher reaches. Most northern and north-western regions remain under yellow alerts for potentially disruptive weather.
In contrast, southern India faces heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal due to an active Bay of Bengal system. The IMD issued an orange alert for these areas, warning of waterlogging, localised flooding, and disruption to daily life. Coastal districts are likely to experience squally winds of 40–50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, with rough to very rough sea conditions. Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the sea until conditions improve.
Overall, India is witnessing sharply contrasting weather patterns, with dense fog and cold dominating the north, while the south braces for heavy rain and strong winds.
