Srinagar: A strong cold wave accompanied by dense fog continues to affect large parts of northern, central, and eastern India, disrupting daily life and transport services, while heavy snowfall persists in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, officials and locals reported on Friday.
In Jammu and Kashmir, temperatures have plunged further, intensifying winter conditions across the region. The Kashmir Valley experienced persistent cold, with heavy snowfall reported in the Pir Panjal ranges of Poonch district. Despite the chilly weather, tourists visited popular destinations such as Dal Lake in Srinagar. “We celebrated New Year here, and the weather is pleasant. There is no pollution, and we are enjoying the calm and clean surroundings,” said one visitor.
In Uttarakhand, cold winds and dense fog blanketed the holy city of Haridwar, reducing visibility on roads and slowing vehicular movement. Residents were seen seeking warmth as temperatures dropped sharply in the morning hours.
Uttar Pradesh also faced severe cold wave and foggy conditions. Agra experienced comparatively lighter fog, allowing clear views of the Taj Mahal from the Taj View Point, while Prayagraj, Kanpur, Moradabad, Ayodhya, and Varanasi were covered with thick layers of fog. In Kanpur and Moradabad, people huddled near bonfires to keep warm, highlighting the intensity of the cold. Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh experienced similar chilly conditions, with fog blanketing the city.
Eastern India, including Odisha, was similarly affected by severe fog. Bhubaneswar, Khurda, and surrounding districts woke up to a thick fog layer on the morning of January 2, 2026, affecting road, rail, and air travel. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange Warning for Khurda, Cuttack, and nearby districts, where visibility dropped to as low as 50 metres. Operations at Biju Patnaik International Airport were disrupted, and several trains arriving from North India, including the Rajdhani and Neelachal Express, faced delays ranging from three to ten hours. National Highway-16 also experienced poor visibility, making travel hazardous.
In Telangana, dense fog affected parts of Hyderabad, including Himayath Nagar, as residents faced intensifying cold conditions.
The IMD has attributed the ongoing weather conditions to high humidity and low wind speeds, warning that the cold wave and dense fog are likely to persist over the next few days, affecting travel and daily life across the affected regions.
