New Delhi | January 18, 2026
North India continued to battle harsh winter conditions on Saturday as dense to very dense fog engulfed several states, severely disrupting transportation services. The combination of biting cold and near-zero visibility affected Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand, with several regions reporting visibility dropping to zero meters.
The impact was widespread: road traffic slowed to a crawl, multiple accidents were reported, and more than 50 trains running to and from Delhi — including Rajdhani and Shatabdi services — were significantly delayed. Several flights also experienced disruptions.
In separate fog-related road accidents across Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, at least 17 people lost their lives.
IMD Data: Zero Visibility in Multiple Cities
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported extremely poor visibility during late-night and early-morning hours:
Zero visibility in: Srinagar, Amritsar, Ambala, Agra Air Force Station, Moradabad, Aligarh, Sarasawa, Hindon Air Force Station, and Barabanki
Visibility readings:
Meerut – 10m
Bareilly – 20m
Aligarh – 25m
Ballia – 20m
Lucknow – 50m
Ayodhya – 75m
Karnal – 20m
Hisar – 40m
Faridkot – 15m
Ludhiana – 50m
IMD forecast indicates that the fog and cold wave conditions are likely to persist for at least six more days across the region.
Himachal Pradesh: Snowfall from Kullu to Kinnaur
Heavy snowfall continued in the higher reaches of Kullu and Lahaul–Spiti, while Kinnaur Kailash experienced fresh snow from Saturday afternoon. Light snowfall was also reported in Kaza. Cloudy weather persisted across several districts.
The IMD predicted continued bad weather in Himachal Pradesh until January 23 due to an active western disturbance.
Kashmir: Fresh Snowfall Covers Valley
Kashmir’s higher regions, including Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Qazigund, and Himachal’s Rohtang Pass, received fresh snowfall since Friday evening. While tourists enjoyed the picturesque snow-covered landscapes, residents faced significant challenges, including temporary road closures at Zojila, Sadhna Top, and Razdan Pass due to slippery conditions.
Arunachal Pradesh: Two Tourists Drown in Frozen Sela Lake
A tragic incident occurred in Tawang district, where two tourists from Kerala drowned after falling through the partially frozen surface of Sela Lake.
One member of a seven-person group slipped through the thin ice, prompting two others to attempt a rescue. Both were swept away by the icy water. Despite a joint rescue operation by the SDRF, SSB, ITBP, Army, and local police, neither could be saved.
Cold Wave Grips Plains: Narnaul Coldest at 3°C
Cold wave conditions intensified in the plains, with temperatures dropping sharply:
Narnaul (Haryana): 3.0°C — coldest in North India
Amritsar (Punjab): 4.4°C
Delhi: 4.4°C
Ghaziabad: 5.5°C
Gurugram: 3.8°C
Faridabad: 8.2°C
Barabanki (UP): 3.5°C
Alwar (Rajasthan): 5.0°C
IMD has warned that severe cold day conditions may continue in isolated pockets across northern states.
