Weather news live: Delhi witnesses season’s longest zero visibility spell on Saturday, says IMD

IMD scientist Sandeep Kumar Sharma told PTI that rainfall and snowfall is expected in higher regions on January 6 while heavy rainfall is expected in many parts of the hill state.

“Rainfall and snowfall is expected in higher regions on January 6. Heavy rainfall is expected in Chamba, Lahaul and Spiti, Manali, Kullu, Mandi and other regions on January 5,” he told the news agency.

Shimla recorded its highest-ever maximum temperature in January since 2006 with 22 degrees Celsius. The previous high of 21.4 degrees Celsius was recorded on January 30, 2006.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department issued an ‘orange’ alert for snowfall and rain in Shimla, Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu and Mandi districts on Sunday.

The local Met office said, “Highest maximum temperature recorded for the month of January on 03.01.2025 (22 degrees Celsius) in Shimla city. The previous highest maximum temperature (21.4 degrees Celsius) was recorded on January 30, 2006.”

The India Meteorological Department has forecast dense fog for the national capital for Sunday, January 5.

The minimum temperature is likely to settle around 10 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature is expected to be recorded at 18 degrees Celsius.

The Union health ministry on Saturday urged people to remain calm amid the tensions over the speculated spread of HMPV (human metapneumovirus) in China, assuring that India is “well-prepared” to handle respiratory illnesses.

After an extensive meeting about HMPV, the ministry came to the view that the situation in China “is not unusual in view of the ongoing flu season”.

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Dense fog engulfed the national capital on Saturday, bringing down the visibility zero for a record nine-hour stretch, the season’s longest spell, the India Meteorological Department said.

The dense fog led to the delay of 91 trains, 400 flights, and at least 19 flights were diverted.

“Zero visibility prevailed for nine hours at Palam between 6 pm and 3 am (UTC), marking the longest spell of the season. The city’s primary weather station, Safdarjung, recorded eight hours of zero visibility,” IMD said.

Delhi airport on Saturday witnessed as many as 19 flight diversions, several cancellations and more than 400 delays as low visibility conditions due to dense fog affected the operations for the second consecutive day.

The country’s largest airline IndiGo had temporarily put arrivals and departures on hold at the airport early in the morning.

Amid intense cold weather conditions, preparations for the 2025 Mahakumbh are underway in full swing in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj.

The city will host the Mahakumbh Mela from January 13 to February 26.

Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 8 degrees Celsius on Saturday, while the maximum temperature is likely to settle around 20 degrees Celsius.

According to IMD, the national capital recorded a maximum temperature of 16.8 degrees on Saturday evening.

IndiGo airlines once again on Saturday issued a travel advisory as dense fog and subsequent low visibility conditions affected flight operations in north India.

The airline said, “We deeply understand how this impacts your schedules and the inconveniences causes to your travel plans.”

“Please know that our teams are working with full commitment to assist all affected customers and ensure your journey resumes as soon as the weather allows. Your safety and comfort are our highest priorities, and we’re focused on keeping you informed and supported,” it said.

IndiGo requested fliers to keep a check on the status of their flights.

Odisha shivered in intense cold weather conditions on Saturday as mercury dropped to 4.6 degrees Celsius in Kandhamal district’s G Udaygiri, the India Meteorological Department said.

As many as ten districts across the state recorded temperature below 10 degrees in the last 24 hours.

The weather office said that no significant change in the minimum temperature is expected in the next two days, after which, it might rise by 2-3 degrees.

The Uttar Pradesh government has set up 1,240 night shelters and temporary accommodation facilities across the state amid intense cold weather conditions.

The shelters are equipped with all the necessary resources to help people stay warm during the harsh weather. Additionally, more than three lakh blankets have also been distributed to those in need.

In an official statement on Saturday, chief minister Yogi Adityanath emphasizes that no negligence will be tolerated in the delivery of blankets to the destitute.

At least three army soldiers died and two others were injured after their vehicle skidded off road in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora and fell into a gorge due to inclement weather and poor visibility conditions.

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Officials said that flight operations at the Srinagar airport have resumed after dense fog disrupted air traffic to and from Kashmir for several hours on Saturday.

Ops resumed after Saturday morning’s first flight landed at 11:12 am and air traffic was also restored after visibility.

A thick blanket of fog engulfed most parts of Punjab and Haryana on Saturday, with visibility in several places including Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Ambala, dropping to zero, the weather department said.

Meanwhile, cold wave conditions also prevailed in most parts of the two states.

Haryana’s Narnaul was the coldest with a minimum temperature of 4.4 degrees Celsius.

In Punjab, both Sangrur and Bathinda shivered with a low of 5.1 and 5.2 degrees Celsius respectively.

Thick layers of fog engulfed parts of Kashmir on Saturday as the valley braced for widespread snowfall, with IMD warning of possible heavy snow over the middle and higher reaches of the valley.

The MeT office issued a ‘yellow’ alert for Saturday and ‘orange’ for Sunday, warning of widespread snowfall with heavy snow at isolated places.

Cold wave conditions continued to freeze Rajasthan on Saturday morning, with Tonk district’s Vanasthali recording the lowest minimum temperature of 6.4 degrees Celsius, MeT officials said.

As per the India Meteorological Department, dense to very dense fog was also recorded at some places in the state.

The weather conditions are likely to remain the same for another day, IMD said. Additionally, light rainfall is also expected at some places in the Bikaner division during this period.

Weather news live: Three women farmers died and many others sustained injuries when the bus they were travelling in met with an accident amid dense fog in Punjab’s Barnala.

Weather news live: According to officials, the dense fog in Delhi, which engulfed the city for second consecutive day, reduced visibility to zero in several areas, leading to 81 trains being delayed.

Weather news live: Several farmers have reportedly been injured in a road accident in Punjab’s Barnala district. They were heading to the Punjab-Haryana Khanauri border to attend the Kisan Mahapanachayat.

Weather news live: Flight operations have been impacted the Srinagar airport were hit on Saturday due to dense fog that engulfed parts of the Kashmir valley, as per an official.

“Due poor visibility at Srinagar airport, no flight operations have taken place so far,” the official said.

Weather news live: The cold wave prevailing in the entire country gripped the city of Prayagraj on Saturday. Visuals from Prayagraj showed people layered in proper winter clothing and sitting near bonfires to protect themselves from the chilly weather. Dig deeper

Weather news live: Four people dead in a road accident due to low visibility amid dense fog in Haryana’s Uklana area.

Weather news live: “Due to adverse weather conditions in Delhi, 19 flight diversions were reported between 0015 hours and 0130 hours. Operations have now returned to normal,” says Delhi International Airport Limited.