India Weather Live Updates 10-01-2025: Chillai Kalan Freezes Dal Lake in Kashmir, Trains Delayed Due to Dense Fog
Delhi faces pollution challenges, missing NCAP targets, prompting CAQM to impose restrictions. Dense fog disrupts rail services, delaying 26 trains.
Northern and central India, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh, are experiencing severe cold wave conditions, with temperatures dropping below 5°C in many areas. Uttar Pradesh faces the most extensive cold snap, with temperatures in cities like Kanpur, Lucknow, and Prayagraj significantly below normal. Mandla in Madhya Pradesh recorded 3.5°C, and Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh recorded 4.3°C. A respite is expected over the weekend as rain and thundershowers are forecasted for parts of Uttar Pradesh on 11th and 12th January 2025 due to an induced cyclonic circulation.
Thick fog enveloped Delhi, reducing visibility at Palam airport to zero, causing flight cancellations and traffic delays. Rain and thundershowers are expected tomorrow as weather systems over North India influence the region, with a subsequent rise in minimum temperature.
Several vehicles collided on the Delhi-Lucknow highway near Bahadurgarh station early Friday morning due to thick fog, reducing visibility to nearly zero. Hapur police reported hazardous driving conditions resulting in multiple accidents across the National Capital Region. At 5:30 am, Delhi's temperature dropped to 9.6°C, adding to the challenges posed by the dense fog, according to the India Meteorological Department.
IMD in its daily weather reports sayd that dense fog conditions have worsened in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and northeastern states, with zero visibility recorded at multiple locations including Delhi's Palam Airport and cities like Amritsar, Agra, and Kanpur. The fog layer has expanded significantly compared to yesterday. While temperatures have increased in many areas, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 6°C today, up from 4.8°C yesterday. The formation of a cyclone over Afghanistan is contributing to these dense fog conditions, leading to an orange alert in affected regions. A yellow alert for dense fog is also in place for other regions like Bihar, Odisha, and parts of the northeastern states. Additionally, cold wave conditions are expected in Jammu & Kashmir, Laddakh, and Himachal Pradesh.
Cold conditions continue across Rajasthan, with Karauli recording the lowest temperature at 3.3°C. A new western disturbance is expected to bring light rain and thunderstorms to parts of the state on January 10 and 11, with potential hailstorms in Bikaner, Jaipur, and Bharatpur divisions. Minimum temperatures may rise by 2-4°C in the next 24 hours. By January 12, dry weather is anticipated, though dense fog may persist in some areas.
Srinagar's Dal Lake has frozen as temperatures dip below zero degrees, marking the start of 'Chillai Kalan,' Kashmir's harshest 40-day winter period. Intense cold and heavy snowfall are causing disruptions, but the freeze also signals prosperity and bumper crop prospects for apple farmers in the region.
Parts of Mumbai, including Bandra East, woke up to a hazy morning, while a thick layer of fog has blanketed Delhi and its surrounding areas. Both cities are experiencing reduced visibility, adding to the intense cold conditions in the region.
A thick layer of fog has enveloped Delhi and surrounding areas, intensifying the cold conditions in the region. Visuals from Dhaula Kuan highlight the reduced visibility caused by the fog.
A parade rehearsal by defense personnel for the 76th Republic Day is currently underway at Kartavya Path in Delhi.
More than 100 flights were delayed at Delhi airport due to dense fog, with DIAL advising passengers to contact airlines for updates and apologizing for the inconvenience. IndiGo recommended allowing extra travel time due to slowed traffic and reduced visibility. Additionally, 26 trains to Delhi were delayed because of foggy conditions in the capital and northern India.
Background
Srinagar's Dal Lake has frozen as temperatures dip below zero degrees, marking the start of 'Chillai Kalan,' Kashmir's harshest 40-day winter period. Intense cold and heavy snowfall are causing disruptions, but the freeze also signals prosperity and bumper crop prospects for apple farmers in the region.
According to the IMD, a western disturbance as a cyclonic circulation lies over southwest Iran and its surrounding areas in the lower and middle tropospheric levels. This system is expected to bring light to moderate scattered rainfall across the plains of northwest India from January 10-12. Thunderstorm conditions are likely in isolated areas of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh on January 11, with the possibility of an isolated hailstorm in south Haryana on the same day. Minimum temperatures were reported between 1-4 degrees Celsius in isolated areas of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana, and between 5-10 degrees Celsius across many parts of the northwest.
Severe Cold and Dense Fog in Punjab and Haryana
Cold to severe cold conditions were observed in isolated pockets of Punjab and Haryana on Thursday. Dense fog with visibility below 50 meters was reported in Punjab, while zero visibility affected Amritsar and Pathankot. Visibility was also significantly reduced in parts of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, affecting travel.
Delhi Misses Pollution Reduction Targets
Delhi failed to meet its NCAP target to reduce PM10 levels by 20-30% by 2023, achieving only a 12% reduction by 2024. In response, the CAQM imposed construction bans and vehicle restrictions under Stage III of GRAP in Delhi and neighboring regions.
Dense Fog Disrupts Travel in Delhi
Dense fog severely disrupted travel in Delhi, delaying 26 trains and over 100 flights. The Delhi airport implemented CAT III operations for compliant flights, while passengers were advised to check flight statuses and allow extra time for travel due to reduced visibility.
Air Quality in Delhi Worsens
Delhi's air quality deteriorated sharply, falling into the 'severe' category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 409 at 7 am, compared to 299 the previous day. The 'severe' category indicates hazardous air conditions that pose health risks to residents. To combat the cold weather, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) set up 235 pagoda tents across the city to accommodate the homeless, with shelters located at multiple sites, including AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and under the Nizamuddin flyover.
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