New Delhi, India | December 24, 2025
Large parts of North and East India remained in the grip of intense cold and dense fog on Tuesday, severely impacting daily life, transportation, and air quality across several states, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
In Uttar Pradesh, thick fog reduced visibility to as low as 50 meters in multiple districts. In Amethi, a chain collision involving six vehicles due to poor visibility claimed two lives, highlighting the dangers posed by persistent foggy conditions.
Flights Disrupted at Delhi Airport
Fog and low visibility continued to disrupt air traffic at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, where at least 10 flights were canceled and over 270 flights were delayed. Flight-tracking data showed an average departure delay of 29 minutes.
Despite sunshine during the day offering slight relief from cold compared to Monday, flight operations remained affected during morning and evening hours.
Temperature and Weather Outlook
The IMD reported Delhi’s maximum temperature at 23.2°C, about 2.5°C above normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 8.8°C, 1.3°C above average.
The weather department stated that no rainfall or snowfall is expected across most of North India over the next five days, excluding Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, where winter conditions persist.
Fog and Cold Wave Across Multiple States
Dense fog was reported in parts of Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and Sikkim. Cold wave conditions continued in pockets of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh.
In Punjab, Gurdaspur recorded a night temperature of 5°C, while Narnaul in Haryana reported 5.5°C, reflecting continued cold wave conditions.
Heavy Snowfall in Kashmir During ‘Chillai Kalan’
On the third day of ‘Chillai Kalan’, several areas in Jammu and Kashmir received heavy snowfall. Sadhna Top, Razdan Top, and Zoji La Pass recorded up to three feet of snow, while Gulmarg and Shopian witnessed light snowfall.
Due to snow accumulation, Mughal Road and the Gurez–Bandipora route remain closed. Meteorologists expect snowfall to continue through Christmas and New Year, enhancing winter tourism prospects.
No Relief from Pollution: Delhi Second Most Polluted City
Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘Severe’ category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 412 by 4 p.m. Persistent haze blanketed the capital throughout the day.
Noida topped the list of the most polluted cities in the country, recording an average AQI of 426, while Delhi ranked second, underscoring ongoing pollution concerns despite favorable weather conditions.
