Weather update: Foggy conditions persist across India ahead of New Year

New Delhi: Delhi-NCR woke up to dense fog on December 31, sharply reducing visibility across large parts of the national capital and neighbouring cities, including Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram. Areas such as Anand Vihar in Delhi and Indirapuram in Ghaziabad were shrouded in thick mist, slowing traffic and affecting daily movement during the early morning hours.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast continued dense fog conditions through Wednesday, urging commuters and travellers to remain cautious. Low visibility disrupted air travel, prompting advisories from airlines and airport authorities. IndiGo warned passengers of possible delays and cancellations at Delhi and several airports across northern India, saying it was monitoring conditions and adjusting operations to minimise disruption. Air India also issued a travel advisory, announcing advance cancellations of select morning flights likely to be affected by fog.

Delhi Airport advised passengers to check flight status before travelling, as arrivals and departures remained vulnerable to delays if fog persisted. Flight operations at Hindon Airport were also impacted, with officials citing fluctuating visibility and safety considerations for slower departures and schedule changes.

Alongside weather-related disruptions, air pollution levels in Delhi remained a major concern. The Air Quality Early Warning System warned that air quality is likely to deteriorate to the ‘severe’ category on December 31 and January 1, before easing slightly to ‘very poor’ on January 2. Pollution levels are then expected to stay in the ‘very poor’ range for the next six days.

Officials attributed the unfavourable outlook to weak atmospheric conditions, including a ventilation index below 6,000 square metres per second and low wind speeds under 10 kmph, which are insufficient to disperse pollutants. According to Central Pollution Control Board data, Delhi’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index stood at 388 on Tuesday, marginally improving from 401 a day earlier but still classified as ‘very poor’. AQI readings above 401 fall in the ‘severe’ category.

Weather conditions across north India are also being influenced by a Western Disturbance. The Meteorological Department issued a yellow alert for dense fog and light rain in parts of Punjab and Chandigarh, where rainfall is expected to continue until January 1. Several locations reported near-zero visibility amid cold and damp conditions.

Meanwhile, winter intensified across West Bengal as the state prepared to bid farewell to 2025. According to the Alipore Meteorological Department, a bone-chilling cold spell is set to persist across the state on December 31. Temperatures dropped across regions from Kolkata and Purulia in South Bengal to Darjeeling in North Bengal.

In Kolkata, the maximum temperature was forecast at around 23 degrees Celsius, with the minimum hovering near 12 degrees, while mornings and nights remained particularly cold. Purulia was expected to be the coldest place in South Bengal, with temperatures likely to dip to around 7 degrees. Sriniketan and Asansol were forecast to record minimum temperatures near 9 degrees.

Cold conditions were also prominent in North Bengal. Darjeeling’s temperature was expected to be around 4 degrees Celsius, while Kalimpong could see temperatures near 10 degrees. Siliguri was forecast to record a minimum of around 12 degrees Celsius.

Authorities in both regions have advised residents to limit outdoor exposure, especially vulnerable groups, and urged travellers to stay updated through official weather and travel advisories as foggy, polluted and cold conditions continue into the New Year period.