In Pictures: Northern India Gripped by Fog, Freeze
A harsh cold wave has settled over large parts of northern India, bringing biting temperatures, thick fog, and a sense of unease to daily life across the region. In several states, minimum temperatures have dipped close to the freezing point, forcing people to bundle up and rethink their routines as winter tightens its grip.
The national capital, Delhi, recorded its coldest morning of the season on Thursday, with the temperature dropping to 2.9 degrees Celsius. For many residents, stepping out before sunrise felt especially punishing, as icy winds and dense fog reduced visibility and made even short commutes uncomfortable.
Conditions were even colder in neighbouring Haryana, where temperatures in some areas reportedly fell below 1 degree Celsius. Images of frost-covered cars, motorcycles, and fields quickly spread across social media, capturing the intensity of the cold and drawing reactions from people across the country. For locals, the frozen surfaces were a stark reminder of how unusual and severe the cold spell has been.
According to the weather department, the cold conditions have persisted for four consecutive days and are likely to continue until Friday. Meteorologists define a cold wave in the northern plains as minimum temperatures falling below 4 degrees Celsius, a threshold that many cities and towns have crossed this week.
The chill has also disrupted travel and public services. Poor visibility caused by fog led to delays at Delhi airport, with authorities warning passengers to expect possible disruptions, especially during the early morning hours. Several train services have been cancelled or rescheduled, adding to the inconvenience faced by travellers during the peak winter season.
For many households, coping with the cold has been particularly challenging. Most homes in the plains of northern India are not built to withstand harsh winters and lack central heating. As a result, families rely on space heaters, extra blankets, and improvised measures to stay warm, especially during the night.
The cold spell has arrived alongside another persistent problem: hazardous air quality. Many cities across northern India continue to record dangerously high pollution levels. During winter, low temperatures and calm winds trap pollutants close to the ground, worsening smog and reducing visibility even further.
Health experts warn that such conditions can lead to serious breathing problems, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with existing respiratory or heart conditions. Doctors have advised residents to limit outdoor exposure, wear masks, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen.
As northern India braces for a few more days of extreme cold, the weather has once again highlighted the challenges of winter in the region — where freezing temperatures, pollution, and infrastructure gaps combine to test resilience, patience, and everyday comfort.