New Delhi, India | December 23, 2025
Severe winter conditions have tightened their grip across North India, with heavy snowfall in the hill regions and dense fog blanketing the plains, triggering widespread disruption to air, rail, and road traffic.
From Kashmir and Ladakh to Delhi-NCR and Uttar Pradesh, a sharp weather shift driven by an active western disturbance has intensified cold wave conditions, sending temperatures plunging and visibility to dangerously low levels.
✈️ Flights Canceled, Hundreds Delayed Due to Fog
Dense fog significantly impacted flight operations on Sunday. At Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, poor visibility led to the cancellation of 110 flights, while over 450 flights were delayed.
In the hill region, 11 flights were canceled at Srinagar Airport, while two flights were grounded in Ayodhya due to weather conditions. Air traffic between Delhi and Srinagar was among the worst affected.
🚆 Train Services Hit Across Northern States
Foggy conditions also disrupted rail services, with more than 70 trains arriving in Delhi delayed by two to four hours. Several premium services, including Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Vande Bharat, and Tejas Express, were affected, causing inconvenience to thousands of passengers.
🌫️ Delhi-NCR Battles Cold Wave and Toxic Smog
Delhi-NCR experienced an intense cold spell accompanied by thick fog and toxic smog. The capital remained largely sunless throughout the day, worsening air quality concerns.
According to official data, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 386, falling in the very poor category. Low wind speed and stagnant atmospheric conditions continued to trap pollutants over the region.
🥶 Uttar Pradesh and Haryana Record Low Temperatures
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for parts of Uttar Pradesh, warning of severe cold wave and dense fog over the next week.
Bulandshahr (UP) recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the state at 7°C
Narnaul (Haryana) was the coldest in the state at 5.2°C
🏔️ Chilla-i-Kalan Begins in Kashmir
The harshest phase of winter, known as Chilla-i-Kalan, has officially begun in the Kashmir Valley. This 40-day period is marked by freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall.
Gulmarg received around six inches of fresh snowfall
Lower areas experienced rain
Snowfall was also reported at Rohtang Pass and Shinkula Pass in Himachal Pradesh, impacting road connectivity
