The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a stark warning as severe winter conditions, marked by dense fog, cold waves, and chilly days, continue to paralyze large swathes of northern, eastern, and central India. The harsh weather is predicted to persist for several days, significantly disrupting road, rail, and air travel while posing health risks to the public.
Widespread Fog and Visibility Crisis
According to the All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin released on the morning of Saturday, January 3, 2026, dense to very dense fog is very likely to continue over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh in the coming days. East and West Uttar Pradesh are expected to remain under prolonged fog spells until January 5, with another intense round likely during January 8 and 9.
The fog blanket is extensive. Odisha is forecast to experience dense fog till January 6, while isolated pockets in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura will see similar conditions until January 7. Bihar may grapple with foggy conditions till January 8, and Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Sikkim will face intermittent episodes.
Visibility has plummeted dangerously low in several regions, crippling morning movement:
- Purnea in Bihar recorded extremely low visibility.
- Patna Airport, Gaya, and Bhagalpur reported visibility around 200 metres.
- Similar conditions were seen in Amritsar (Punjab), Sundernagar (Himachal Pradesh), Kota (Rajasthan), and Paradip Port (Odisha).
- In Uttar Pradesh, cities like Bahraich, Varanasi, and Lucknow saw visibility between 200 and 500 metres.
Looming Cold Wave and Limited Rainfall
Adding to the discomfort, the IMD has indicated that cold wave conditions are very likely at isolated places over Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi between January 4 and 6. Rajasthan is also bracing for a cold wave on January 8 and 9.
Rainfall activity has been largely absent except in some southern and eastern regions. Over the next three days, scattered to fairly widespread rainfall is forecast over Tamil Nadu and the Nicobar Islands due to weather systems over the southwest Bay of Bengal.
Major Disruptions and Public Advisory
The persistent fog and low visibility are severely impacting transportation networks. The IMD has warned of slow traffic, delayed flights, and train schedules going awry, especially during peak morning hours. The risk of accidents is heightened if proper precautions are not taken.
Authorities have advised the public to exercise extreme caution while driving in foggy conditions. Morning commutes are expected to remain challenging. With the intense winter spell set to continue through the first half of January, people are urged to:
- Stay updated with the latest IMD forecasts.
- Take necessary measures to protect against cold-related health issues.
- Plan travel carefully, allowing for significant delays.
In coastal areas, the IMD has warned of squally weather with wind speeds reaching 35-55 kmph (gusting to 65 kmph) over the southwest Bay of Bengal, which could affect marine activities.
