Delhi-NCR freezes as blanket of blinding fog covers North India

Dense fog enveloped Delhi-NCR and parts of northern India on Saturday morning, as an intense cold wave gripped the region.

In Delhi, visibility dropped to less than 50 metres in some areas as icy winds swept the streets. Commuters complained of disrupted travel and long delays. 
The famous India Gate monument disappeared from view as thick smog smothered the capital. Meteorologists described the fog as the worst in recent years. Temperature in Delhi plunged to a bone-chilling 3 degrees Celsius.

#WATCH | Delhi | Drone visuals from Connaught Place as fog grips the national capital amidst cold waves.

(Visuals shot at 7:30 am today) pic.twitter.com/QD29X7gd6u

— ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2024

"We are advising people not to venture out early in the morning if possible," said Dr Rajendra Kumar, senior scientist at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Delhi. "The combination of fog and frigid temperatures can be dangerous."

Similar conditions gripped neighbouring states like Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. In Lucknow, cold wind blasted through the fog leaving icy roads and footpaths. 

Attached recent Satellite imagery recieved at 0830 hrs IST of today, the 06th January indicates Fog/low clouds layer over Punjab, Haryana, north- east Rajasthan, north Madhya Pradesh, west-central Uttar Pradesh, Tripura south east Assam and south Mizoram. pic.twitter.com/yBpbfD25m5

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) January 6, 2024

Northern and western states like Rajasthan and Gujarat also woke up to fog and shivering cold. In Jaipur, the blanket of fog caused visibility of less than 200 metres. IMD forecasts suggest dense fog will envelope Jaipur all day with temperatures between 8-18 degrees Celsius.

Meteorologists say the extreme weather is due to cold winds from the Himalayas clashing with warmer air from the Bay of Bengal. Relief from the bitter cold is at least a week away according to weather experts.

Cold day to severe cold day conditions prevailed at many places over Haryana, few places over Rajasthan and at some Pockets over Punjab.
Cold day conditions prevailed at few places over Delhi and at isolated pockets over north M.P.@moesgoi @airnewsalerts @DDNewsHindi @ndmaindia pic.twitter.com/vJVD9MisuQ

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) January 5, 2024

The IMD cautioned people to remain indoors as much as possible. It also advised wearing multiple layers of clothing if stepping outside. Northern states will shiver under the cold wave grip for at least another week until warmer winds arrive.