The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a stern warning for Delhi and several northern states, forecasting a sharp dip in temperatures accompanied by dense fog and poor air quality over the coming days. The capital is set to experience an intense cold spell, with minimum temperatures potentially plunging to a bone-chilling 6 degrees Celsius.
Mercury Plummets, Cold Wave Intensifies
Delhi residents woke up to a shivering Friday morning, with the mercury dropping to 11.2 degrees Celsius at 5:30 AM. This follows Wednesday's recording of 14.2 degrees Celsius, which was the lowest minimum temperature for January 1 since 2019. The IMD predicts the cold will intensify significantly, with a fall of 2-3°C expected over the next three days.
By December 4, the Regional Meteorological Centre indicates that the minimum temperature in Delhi and its surrounding areas could drop as low as 6 degrees Celsius. The IMD's forecast, issued on Thursday, warns of cold wave conditions in isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh until December 4, and over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi from December 2-5. Rajasthan is also expected to experience similar conditions from January 4-7, 2026.
Widespread Fog and Travel Disruptions
The weather office has stated that dense to very dense fog conditions are very likely to persist during night and morning hours for the next 5-7 days across many places in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha. This persistent fog layer is severely impacting visibility.
The poor visibility is already causing concerns for air travel. While the Delhi airport had not issued a fresh advisory as of Friday, airline IndiGo proactively warned passengers of potential disruptions. In a post on social media platform X, the airline stated, "Low visibility and fog over #Hyderabad and #Guwahati may impact flight schedules. We are keeping a close watch on the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly." The advisory hints at possible delays and cancellations on affected routes.
Poor Air Quality Adds to Woes
Compounding the discomfort from the cold is the persistently poor air quality in the national capital. On Friday morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 321, falling into the 'Very Poor' category. The combination of low temperatures, fog, and pollutants creates a hazardous environment, especially for those with respiratory issues.
As the cold wave tightens its grip, people across Delhi have been seen huddling around bonfires to seek warmth. The IMD's weather outlook remains grim till at least December 8, advising citizens to take necessary precautions against the severe cold and plan travel carefully considering the likely fog-related disruptions.
