A thick blanket of fog once again wrapped Delhi on the morning of December 30, bringing daily life in the capital to a crawl. Combined with biting cold winds, the persistent fog has made commuting difficult and added to residents' winter woes. With conditions worsening, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for December 30 and a yellow alert for December 31, warning of dense to very dense fog across several parts of the city.
As the year draws to a close, the weather threatens to disrupt not just travel but also New Year celebrations, with rain now forecast for January 1.
The chill in Delhi-NCR is no longer confined to early mornings and late nights. Cold winds are sweeping through the region throughout the day, forcing people indoors and driving up demand for heaters and blowers in local markets.
Although sunlight breaks through after noon, it offers little comfort. The sun remains faint and ineffective against the cold, leaving temperatures stubbornly low. Weather officials warn that both cold and fog are likely to intensify further in the coming days.
The Meteorological Department has outlined a clear warning schedule for the final days of December:
According to IMD forecasts, dense to moderate fog is expected across many areas of Delhi on December 29 and 30. Daytime temperatures are likely to hover between 20 and 21 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may drop to 7-9 degrees Celsius.
Senior meteorologist Dr RK Jenamani has cautioned that cold conditions will be particularly severe on December 30 and 31, with visibility expected to fall sharply in several locations.
Alongside the cold and fog, air pollution continues to pose a serious health concern. Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 7 degrees Celsius and a daytime high of 20 degrees Celsius, while the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 418, firmly in the severe category.
Neighbouring regions are facing similar conditions:
Poor visibility combined with hazardous air quality is further complicating travel and outdoor activity across the region.
The weather may play spoilsport as the capital steps into the New Year. Cloudy skies are expected on the evening of December 31, followed by rainfall on January 1, according to weather experts.
Dr Mahesh Palawat, senior scientist at Skymet Weather, said snowfall is expected in the hilly regions, while the plains could see rain between December 30 and January 2. A western disturbance, coupled with moisture-laden winds, may bring light drizzle to parts of North India, including Delhi and northwest Uttar Pradesh.
With fog, cold, pollution and rain all converging, residents are advised to stay alert and plan their travel and celebrations with caution.