IMD predicts dense fog in parts of North India over next two days

People wrapped in blankets amid dense fog on a cold winter morning, in New Delhi, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo/PTI)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of thick fog and biting cold wave across several parts of north India, including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and East Uttar Pradesh, for the next two days.

The Met department has predicted dense fog over Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, West Uttar Pradesh and North-eastern India on Tuesday (Jan 6).

The visuals from Jaipur this morning show the pink city engulfed in heavy fog, reducing the visibility to around 50 metres.

VIDEO | Rajasthan: Heavy fog enveloped Jaipur this morning, reducing visibility to around 50 metres in the outskirts.

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 5, 2026

In Katra, devotees can be seen warming themselves by bonfires and marching uphill as they brave the severe winter in Vaishno Devi.

VIDEO | Katra: As temperatures plummet in the Vaishno Devi, devotees brave the severe winter, warming themselves by bonfires and marching uphill with unwavering faith and determination. #VaishnoDevi #MataVaishnoDevi

(Full video available on PTI Videos –… pic.twitter.com/kHG4ewDJS0

Fog in the parts of North India led to flight cancellations and delays. The nation’s largest carrier, IndiGo, issued a travel advisory stating that fog-induced drop in visibility may impact flight schedules in Udaipur and Bhopal.

It urged passengers to check the flight status before leaving for the airport.

“Low visibility and fog over Bhopal and Udaipur may impact flight schedules. We are closely monitoring the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly. We request that you stay updated on your flight status via our website or app. Please be assured that our teams are here to assist you at every step and provide full support,” IndiGo said.

“We look forward to clearer skies and a swift return to our regular schedule. Thank you for your patience and understanding,” it added.

The air quality in Delhi-NCR remained in the poor category as the AQI was recorded close to 300 in the national capital.

#WATCH | Visuals from Akshardham in New Delhi. AQI in the area is ‘294’ in the ‘poor’ category as claimed by CPCB. pic.twitter.com/YZAVS6OYn5

An analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), a nonprofit, has found that about 65% of Delhi’s air pollution in 2025 originated from outside the city — largely from the other NCR districts and neighbouring states. Local sources accounted for the remaining 35%. As per experts, despite modest year-on-year improvements in average PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations during 2025, Delhi did not record a single ‘good’ air quality day over the year.

Experts cited in the analysis stressed that Delhi’s geographical position makes it especially vulnerable to polluted air carried by northerly and north-westerly winds, reinforcing the need for coordinated, airshed-level interventions rather than city-specific measures alone.