A severe cold wave and heavy snowfall have hit hill states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, while dense fog has severely disrupted road and rail traffic across the Indo‑Gangetic plains, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warns of continued harsh winter conditions till the end of the year.

Heavy Snowfall in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand

Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are witnessing widespread cold day to severe cold day conditions, with fresh spells of light to moderate rainfall and snowfall expected over the higher reaches in the coming days.

IMD’s latest bulletin (28 December 2025) forecasts scattered to fairly widespread light/moderate rainfall or snowfall over Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit‑Baltistan and Muzaffarabad from 30 December to 2 January, and isolated to scattered light/moderate rain/snow over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand during the same period.

Temperatures in many hill stations have dipped sharply, with minimums below 5°C in several places, affecting tourism, agriculture and daily life in the higher altitudes.

Dense Fog Grips Indo‑Gangetic Plains

Across the Indo‑Gangetic plains, dense to very dense fog has blanketed large parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha, severely reducing visibility and disrupting transport.

IMD reported that very dense fog (visibility below 50 m) prevailed in many parts of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, while dense fog (50–199 m) was observed in isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha and Assam.

In cities like Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Patna and Guwahati, visibility dropped to 50–100 m in the early morning, forcing authorities to issue red and orange alerts for travel.

Transport Disruptions

Road traffic has been severely affected, with long delays and accidents reported on major highways like NH‑44, NH‑19, NH‑34 and NH‑31. Many state transport buses and private vehicles are running hours behind schedule.

Rail services across North and East India are facing heavy delays, with several trains rescheduled or cancelled due to poor visibility and fog-related safety protocols.

Air travel is also under stress, with multiple flights from Delhi, Lucknow, Patna, Varanasi and Guwahati delayed or diverted, while smaller airports in the plains are operating under strict low‑visibility procedures.

Health and Agricultural Impact

The IMD has warned of increased health risks, especially for the elderly, children and those with respiratory illnesses, due to prolonged exposure to cold and polluted fog.

Doctors in major cities are reporting a rise in cases of flu, bronchitis, asthma attacks and hypothermia, urging people to stay indoors, wear warm clothing and avoid prolonged outdoor exposure.

In agriculture, cold wave conditions in isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand may stress winter crops like wheat, mustard and vegetables, prompting agromet advisories for light irrigation and mulching.

IMD’s Forecast and Warnings

IMD has issued the following key warnings for the next 3–4 days:

  • Dense to very dense fog very likely during night and morning hours over Himachal Pradesh till 31 December, Punjab, Haryana‑Chandigarh and West UP till 31 December, and East UP till 1 January.
  • Cold day conditions very likely in isolated pockets of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Bihar on 28–29 December.
  • Cold wave conditions very likely in isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh on 28–29 December, and Jharkhand on 28 December.
  • A fresh western disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayan region from 30 December and adjoining plains from 31 December, bringing more rain and snow.

Advisories for Public

Authorities have issued the following safety advisories:

  • Travel only if necessary; keep in touch with airlines, railways and state transport for real‑time updates.
  • Use fog lights, reduce speed, and maintain safe distance while driving in foggy conditions.
  • Wear multiple layers of warm clothing, cover head, neck, hands and feet, and avoid prolonged exposure to cold.
  • Use heaters and gas devices with proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Take special care of children, elderly, and those with chronic illnesses; seek medical help immediately in case of frostbite or hypothermia.
  • Protect livestock and poultry from cold by providing warm sheds and dry bedding.

Local Impact in Jammu & Kashmir

In Jammu & Kashmir, the Jammu division has also reported dense fog with very low visibility, affecting road and rail movement in the plains, while the higher reaches continue to experience sub‑zero temperatures and snowfall.

With a fresh western disturbance expected from 30 December, more snowfall is likely in the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, which may further disrupt connectivity but also help replenish water resources and glaciers.