Delhi's Winter Woes: Dense Fog and Icy Winds Bring City to a Standstill

New Delhi woke up on Sunday shrouded in dense fog and icy winds, intensifying the ongoing cold wave that has paralyzed the city. The low-seating air made it difficult for people to breathe, further exacerbating the already hazardous air quality.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), temperatures will plummet to a minimum of 10°C and rise to a maximum of 17°C on Sunday, with many areas experiencing poor visibility. Just hours earlier on Saturday evening, Delhi recorded a chilling low of 7.7°C accompanied by light rain showers.
Residents who lost shelter during the recent cold wave have now sought refuge in night shelters as the fog descended upon the city once again. The dense fog not only disrupted flights and trains but also made everyday commutes perilous for people.
At Delhi airport, multiple flights were grounded due to poor visibility, leaving passengers stranded at the airports. Indian Railways reported that 25 of its trains to Delhi were running late as a result of reduced visibility, while passengers are being advised to stay updated on flight statuses through contacting airlines directly.
The dense fog is expected to continue disrupting road and rail traffic across nearby states including Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, and East Uttar Pradesh during the early hours of January 12 and 13. The IMD has also predicted that parts of Rajasthan and East Uttar Pradesh would face near-zero visibility on Friday night into early Saturday morning.
On a related note, a fresh western disturbance could bring isolated rain and snow from Jammu-Kashmir to Ladakh between January 15th and January 17. From January 13th to the 15th, other southern states will also see reduced air quality, in line with Bihar, Assam, Odisha, and parts of Chhattisgarh.
Another chilly day awaits the city as a fresh spell of dense fog is expected on Monday. According to the IMD, temperatures are predicted to range between 8°C and 20°C across northern states and is set to keep the cold wave in place until mid-January.