New Delhi | January 12, 2026
North India continues to reel under an intense cold wave as icy winds from the Himalayas and widespread fog push temperatures to record lows across the region. Delhi shivered at 3.0°C in the Palam area, marking the capital’s lowest minimum temperature since 2013, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
A sharp drop in temperature was recorded across Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and parts of Northeast India. In many cities, the mercury slipped below 5°C, intensifying the morning chill.
The IMD has issued a cold wave and dense fog alert for eight states over the next three days, warning of extremely low visibility and severe winter conditions.
Record-Breaking Temperatures Across States
Heavy snowfall in the Himalayan region and icy winds sweeping across the plains have worsened winter conditions.
Rajasthan:
Pratapgarh recorded –2°C
Barmer dropped to –1°C
Punjab:
Bathinda was the coldest at 1.6°C
Amritsar witnessed “cold day” conditions
Haryana:
Hisar recorded 2.2°C
Narnaul: 3°C
Faridabad: 4.2°C
Rohtak: 4°C
Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh:
Temperatures in many regions dipped below freezing, worsening frost and road conditions.
Delhi-NCR Schools Shut Until January 15
With severe winter conditions continuing, authorities in Delhi and Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida) have ordered schools up to Class 8 to remain closed until January 15.
Ghaziabad has also announced online classes for lower grades.
Despite bright sunshine in parts of Delhi, the cold remained intense. The city’s maximum temperature settled at 18.8°C, about 1.1°C below normal.
IMD’s Latest Warning
The weather department has issued a dense fog and cold wave warning till January 17 for the following regions:
Uttar Pradesh
Bihar
Jammu & Kashmir
Himachal Pradesh
Uttarakhand
Punjab
Rajasthan
Haryana
Delhi and Chandigarh
Travel disruptions, low visibility, and freezing winds may persist throughout the week.
