IMD predicts cold wave and dense fog as winter tightens grip across North

Large swathes of north India ushered in 2026 under severe winter conditions, with snowfall across the higher reaches of Kashmir and a sharp chill gripping Delhi a day after the capital logged its coldest December day in six years.

- AIMAN FATIMA

A view of the snow-covered area on the first day of the year, in Gulmarg

(PTI)

The India Meteorological Department warned that the cold spell is set to intensify across the Delhi NCR region, Punjab and Haryana, with rain and thunderstorms likely later on Thursday. In contrast, the New Year began on a wet note in Mumbai, where several areas recorded heavy rainfall.

According to the weather office, strong surface easterly winds over northwest India triggered thunderstorm activity in parts of northwest Rajasthan, a system expected to move towards