North India Shivers as Cold Wave Tightens Grip: IMD Flags Alerts Across States

New Delhi: North India woke up on Sunday to another day of biting cold and dense fog. Temperatures in many plains fell sharply, while the Himalayan regions stayed below freezing. People in places such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh were seen struggling with the chill, and many breathed in thick morning mist. 

Several places in North India continue to shiver at temperatures lower than 5 degrees Celsius. 

Where Are Alerts in Place?

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued weather alerts for several states:

• Yellow alert for Delhi and National Capital Region, signaling cold and foggy conditions ahead.
• Dense fog warnings continue in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and other northern plains.
• In the hills of Kashmir and Himachal, temperatures remain at freezing levels with frost and snow still likely. 

Across these regions, visibility remains low early in the day, and people have been advised to take precautions while travelling. 

Why Is This Happening?

The cold wave is being driven by clear skies at night and very still air, allowing temperatures to drop quickly after sunset. Dense fog in the mornings is making travel difficult in many places. 

Forecasters say western disturbances are influencing the higher reaches, while plains remain under the grip of cold, dry air.

IMD has predicted intense fog conditions for today, with dense to very dense fog enveloping Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, while dense fog is also forecast for Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad, significantly reducing visibility across these regions. 

Taking to X, IMD said, "Cold wave to severe conditions are prevailing over Rajasthan and coastal Kutch and cold wave conditions over Punjab, Haryana and Delhi."

What is IMD saying?

The IMD says the cold and fog are likely to persist in the coming days, especially in the northern plains. Night temperatures may dip further, and early mornings will continue to be chilly. 

Taking to X, IMD shared, "Minimum Temperatures (≤ 4.0°C) reported over the plains and Visibility below 200m reported over Airports at 0830 hrs IST of Today, 11.01.2026."

Officials urge people to check local forecasts, avoid travel in dense fog without need, and take care of the elderly and children who are more vulnerable to cold effects.