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Dal Lake Freezes as Intense Cold Wave Grips Kashmir, Fog Blankets North India

A severe cold wave has caused a thin layer of ice to form on Srinagar's iconic Dal Lake. Dense fog from a western disturbance has enveloped large parts of North India, significantly slowing vehicular movement on highways. In Delhi, the cold conditions are accompanied by sharply deteriorating air quality, with AQI levels surging into the "very poor" category in several areas. The India Meteorological Department has issued cold wave alerts for isolated pockets across over a dozen states for the coming days.

Key Points: Dal Lake Freezes, Dense Fog and Cold Wave Across North India

  • Dal Lake freezes in Srinagar
  • Dense fog slows national highway traffic
  • Delhi's AQI hits "very poor" levels
  • Cold wave alerts for 12+ states
  • Western disturbance causes severe chill
3 min read

Dal Lake freezes as winter intensifies across Kashmir Valley

Dal Lake in Srinagar freezes as a severe cold wave and dense fog envelop North India, impacting travel and worsening air quality in Delhi.

"cold wave conditions continued to grip the region, with temperatures dropping to 5.4 degrees Celsius - India Meteorological Department"

Srinagar, January 10

As winter intensifies across the Kashmir Valley, a thin layer of ice formed on Dal Lake in Srinagar on Saturday.

Meanwhile, a blanket of fog enveloped several other parts of India, including Agra, Moradabad, Patna, Mumbai, and New Delhi.

In Jaisalmer, locals are coping with the cold by warming themselves around bonfires. The region is experiencing dense fog and mist due to a western disturbance, covering all tourist spots. Tourists from across the country and abroad are enjoying the chilly weather, while severe cold has set in, and night temperatures have dropped noticeably this season. The minimum temperature recorded is 4.5°C. The thick fog has also significantly slowed vehicle movement on national highways.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, cold day conditions are expected in isolated areas of East Rajasthan, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, West Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh over the next two days.

Cold wave alerts cover isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Odisha, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, North Interior Karnataka, and Rajasthan between January 10 to 14.

A thin layer of fog enveloped the national capital on Saturday morning as cold wave conditions continued to grip the region, with temperatures dropping to 5.4 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The air pollution levels also rose sharply. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) surged to 361, falling under the "very poor" category until 7 am.

Several areas across New Delhi recorded AQI levels above 300. Nehru Nagar reported the highest pollution level at 426, followed by Dwarka Sector 8 at 402 and RK Puram at 390. Patparganj registered an AQI of 400, while Chandni Chowk recorded 398. The AQI was 361 in the ITO area and 326 near IGI Airport.

Earlier on Friday, the mercury dipped to 5 degrees Celsius in the national capital on Friday as cold weather continued, with rain lashing parts of the city, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

A thick layer of smog also blanketed several areas, while air quality remained in the 'poor' to 'very poor' category across Delhi, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

CPCB readings showed that Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was 280, placing it in the 'poor' category.

Several areas witnessed a sharp decline in air quality. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 385, placing it in the 'very poor' category. Other locations with high AQI levels included Chandni Chowk at 335, Jahangirpuri at 340, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 354, ITO at 307, Ferozeshah Road at 307, Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range at 360, Dwarka Sector 8 at 346, Ashok Vihar at 328 and Nehru Nagar at 392.

Some parts of the city recorded relatively better air quality. IGI Airport Terminal 3 reported an AQI of 252, which still falls under the 'poor' category, according to CPCB.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The AQI numbers for Delhi are genuinely alarming. 426 in Nehru Nagar? We are breathing poison. While we talk about the cold, the pollution crisis needs urgent, serious action from the authorities. It's a public health emergency.
R
Rohit P
Here in Mumbai, we're also seeing unusual fog. It's not as cold as the north, but the visibility is low. Makes you appreciate the sheer scale of this weather system affecting almost the entire country.
S
Sarah B
The image of Dal Lake with a thin layer of ice must be breathtaking. It's a double-edged sword for tourism though – beautiful for photos, but difficult for the locals and their shikara businesses. Hope they are managing okay.
V
Vikram M
The article jumps from Kashmir to Delhi's pollution very abruptly. While both are important, it feels like two separate reports mashed together. A more focused narrative on the winter phenomenon across India would have been better.
K
Karthik V
Bonfires in Jaisalmer sound so cozy! But seriously, the drop in night temps is no joke. Our farmers must be worried about their crops. IMD alerts are crucial, hope the advisories are reaching every village.

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