Delhi-NCR: Severe Cold Wave, Dense Fog, Flight Disruptions Persist | Quick Digest
Delhi-NCR is currently gripped by a severe cold wave and dense fog, leading to significantly reduced visibility and disruptions in daily life and flight operations. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'yellow alert', with minimum temperatures plummeting.
Delhi-NCR experiences severe cold wave conditions with low temperatures.
Dense fog blankets the region, causing very low visibility.
IMD has issued a 'yellow alert' for cold wave and fog in Delhi.
Flight operations at Delhi Airport are impacted by low visibility.
Upcoming Republic Day rehearsals will cause additional flight disruptions.
Minimum temperatures are significantly below normal, near freezing in some areas.
Delhi-NCR continues to reel under a persistent cold wave and dense fog, with conditions impacting daily life and travel across the region as of January 15, 2026. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'yellow alert' for Delhi, forecasting continued cold wave conditions and dense fog in isolated areas. Minimum temperatures have plunged significantly below normal, with areas like Lodhi Road recording 3.6 degrees Celsius and Gurugram experiencing near-freezing temperatures at 0.8 degrees Celsius recently. The IMD has also issued a 'nowcast warning' for 'very dense fog', leading to severely reduced visibility that has disrupted road, rail, and air traffic.
Dense fog has particularly affected air operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. Airport authorities have issued advisories for passengers, with flights operating under CAT III conditions due to low visibility, resulting in delays and potential disruptions. Adding to the travel woes, Delhi airspace will face temporary closures daily from January 21 to January 26 for Republic Day rehearsals. This measure is expected to cause further disruptions, including flight delays, rescheduling, or cancellations for hundreds of flights, impacting thousands of passengers. This period coincides with Delhi's peak fog season, exacerbating the challenges for airlines and travelers. The severe cold wave conditions are prevalent not just in Delhi-NCR but also in neighboring North Indian states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
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