Chandigarh: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that cold wave conditions and dense fog are set to continue across large parts of northern India, while rainfall and snowfall alerts have been issued for select regions.
According to the IMD, isolated cold wave conditions are expected in Himachal Pradesh from January 1 to January 4. Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi are likely to experience similar conditions from January 2 to January 5, while Rajasthan could see cold wave effects between January 4 and January 7, 2026. Citizens have been urged to take precautions against the severe chill, especially in hill regions where snowfall warnings are in place.
Dense to very dense fog is forecast to persist during night and morning hours across multiple states. Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi are expected to remain under foggy conditions until January 6. Odisha will experience fog until January 5, while Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh may see it until January 2. Isolated pockets in Rajasthan are also likely to be fog-affected until January 3.
Other regions expecting fog include Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, and northeastern states such as Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, with timelines varying from January 1 to January 8 depending on the location.
The IMD also issued warnings for thunderstorms, lightning, and strong gusty winds (30–40 kmph) over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on January 1, and over Tamil Nadu on January 1 and 2. Heavy rainfall is expected in Tamil Nadu on January 1.
Authorities have advised residents and commuters to exercise caution during early morning hours due to reduced visibility caused by dense fog. Travelers on roads and railways, as well as air passengers, have been urged to plan journeys carefully and follow weather advisories.
The continuing cold wave, coupled with fog and rain warnings, highlights the harsh winter conditions affecting northern and eastern India in early January, making it crucial for citizens to stay alert and take necessary safety measures.
