Severe winter conditions continue to trouble Delhi-NCR as dense fog and biting cold persist across the region. Since late night, thick fog has blanketed the national capital and surrounding areas, significantly reducing visibility in many locations. Visuals from areas such as AIIMS, Akshardham, Lodhi Road, Dhaula Kuan, India Gate, Mayur Vihar, Noida and Ghaziabad show vehicles crawling on roads due to extremely poor visibility, posing serious risks for commuters. The impact of the fog has also been felt on rail and air services, with delays reported as visibility in several pockets dropped to nearly 50 metres and, in some inner areas, close to zero. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Delhi, while red alerts are in place for select internal areas witnessing extremely dense fog. Adding to the concern is the worsening air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI) remains above 400, placing Delhi in the ‘severe’ pollution category and making the combination of cold, fog, and pollution particularly hazardous. IMD has predicted the possibility of light rainfall around the New Year due to a western disturbance, which may offer some relief from fog but could further intensify the cold, with temperatures expected to drop by around two degrees Celsius. Authorities have advised people to drive cautiously and avoid unnecessary travel.
