How to stay healthy and safe during the coldest winter in over a decade

West Bengal is currently experiencing a severe cold wave, with dense fog and plunging temperatures disrupting daily life across the state. Air quality has deteriorated sharply, while sub-Himalayan districts are witnessing even lower temperatures. Light snowfall is also possible in higher reaches. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the cold spell is likely to persist throughout the week, with foggy conditions significantly affecting visibility and travel.

- Ankit Singh

Kolkata recorded its coldest December morning this winter, with the minimum temperature dipping to 11°C on the last day of 2025 — the coldest year-end in over a decade. Dum Dum recorded 10°C, while Sriniketan in Bolpur shivered at 6.5°C. Several areas in Birbhum, Bankura, and West Burdwan reported temperatures below 10°C. Darjeeling emerged as the coldest location in the state, with the mercury dropping to 4°C.

Dense fog blanketed large parts of West Bengal, reducing visibility to as low as 50-200 metres during morning hours. As temperatures fell and fog intensified, air quality worsened sharply across the state. Kolkata's Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached 254, placing it in the 'severe' category. This deterioration has raised serious health concerns, particularly for children, the elderly, and individuals with preexisting respiratory conditions.