New Delhi | January 14, 2026
North India continued to reel under harsh winter conditions on Wednesday, with a severe cold wave, dense fog, and sharply reduced visibility disrupting daily life across several states. According to the latest update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), temperatures have fallen significantly below normal, and the cold wave is expected to persist in many areas.
Delhi-NCR: Dense Fog Reduces Visibility
A blanket of moderate to dense fog covered Delhi and surrounding NCR cities early this morning. Visibility remained very low, impacting road and rail movement.
Minimum temperature: 6°C to 8°C
Maximum temperature: 18°C to 20°C
IMD has warned that foggy conditions will persist, with cold winds intensifying the chill.
Punjab & Haryana Face Severe Cold Day Conditions
Punjab and Haryana are among the worst affected states, with both “cold day” and “severe cold day” conditions widespread.
IMD has issued an orange alert for the next 2–3 days, predicting continued cold wave conditions.
Northern Rajasthan—especially Churu and Bikaner—also reported steep temperature drops. Parts of western Rajasthan are under warnings for both dense fog and cold wave conditions.
Uttar Pradesh: Very Dense Fog Alert for 48 Hours
From western to eastern Uttar Pradesh, a thick fog layer has significantly reduced visibility.
Lucknow & Kanpur minimum temperature: Around 9°C
IMD has issued a “very dense fog” alert for the next 48 hours, cautioning residents about travel disruptions and health risks.
Bihar Remains in Deep Chill
Bihar is witnessing intense cold conditions, with Patna and several districts experiencing cold day-like situations. Day temperatures remain significantly lower than normal, and fog continues to disrupt normal routines.
Himalayan States: Snowfall Intensifies Chill
Recent snowfall has pushed temperatures further down in the hills:
Srinagar: –4°C
Gulmarg & Pahalgam: –8°C to –6°C
Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand’s higher reaches may receive light snowfall, while lower regions are likely to get rain.
IMD has also issued a warning for ground frost in parts of Uttarakhand, posing a potential threat to agricultural crops.
Travel Impact: Trains Running Late, Flights May Be Disrupted
Dense fog has caused widespread travel delays:
Several trains across North India are running behind schedule.
Flights may face delays or diversions depending on visibility conditions.
Authorities have advised motorists to exercise caution and use fog lights while driving in low-visibility zones.
