Weather news highlights: IMD predicts very dense fog over several parts in north India, issues advisory

Weather news LIVE: The India Meteorological Department has warned of dense fog conditions across Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand.

For Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, dense fog conditions are likely to prevail till December 21, and later on extend to December 25. In Uttar Pradesh, dense fog is expected in the early morning hours till December 22.

Meanwhile, isolated pockets over Uttarakhand are expected to experience dense fog on December 19 and 20.

Delhi recorded the coldest day of the season on Thursday, with the maximum temperature settling at 20.1 degrees Celsius, which is 2.1 notches below normal, the India Meteorological Department said, according to PTI news agency.

The minimum temperature was recorded at 9 degrees Celsius, 0.9 notches above nornal, the IMD said.

Indigo cancelled 59 flights on Thursday, and cancelled another 28 flights for Friday, PTI news agency reported citing the airline's website. Indigo, however, has not specified the reason for the cancellations. The cancellations come amid dense fog in several parts of north India

27 flights were cancelled at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Thursday as fog affected operations, PTI news agency reported quoting an official source. The dense fog led to reduced visibility, thus leading to cancellations and delays.

Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northern Railway, Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, on Thursday said the speed of trains had been slowed down due to reduced visibility. This has led to some trains running late, Upadhyay told PTI news agency.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has urged the BCCI to schedule cricket matches in south India between mid-December to mid-January instead of north, which experiences heavy fog during this time, PTI news agency reported.

“Come and play in south India at this time,” Tharoor called out to BCCI Vice President and Congress MP Rajeev Shukla in the Parliament House complex.

Tharoor said that the whole nation was “frustrated” on Wednesday due to the cancellation of the match between India and South Africa. “…My argument simply is that during this period, schedule the matches in south India. My Thiruvananthapuram has a wonderful stadium, we are ready to host people. Come and play,” PTI quoted Tharoor as saying.

Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta flagged off 100 new electric buses on Thursday, while saying that the pollution could be tackled through improvement of public transport system.

“100 new EV buses will be added to the roads from today... The most effective solution to eradicate pollution is that the public transport system should be improved,” ANI news agency quoted Gupta as saying. Gupta said that this would lead to people leaving private vehicles and joining the public transport system.

The India Meteorological Department has predicted very dense/ dense fog conditions during the early morning hours of Friday for places in UP, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh.

The weather department also issued a safety advisory, urging drivers to drive at reduced speed, maintain a safe distance from the vehicles ahead, avoid unnecessary travel during peak fog hours, and keep checking updates on weather and traffic.

Weather news LIVE: Flight operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport have been impacted due to dense fog conditions in Northern India, leading to 27 cancellations so far, including 16 departures and 11 arrivals, PTI reported quoting authorities.

Weather news LIVE: Kashmir is experiencing a huge relief from intense cold as night temperatures rose and settled above the freezing point, with rain and snow expected to coincide with the oncoming "Chillai-Kalan", the 40-day harshest winter period, officials said on Thursday. The mercury in most places in the valley settled above the freezing point, with Srinagar recording a low of 0.2 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night, an improvement from the previous night's minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, PTI reported, quoting officials.

Weather news LIVE: The next couple of days are likely to be cold as the weatherman predicts cold to severe cold conditions over isolated places in Uttar Pradesh on December 19 and 20. Similarly, cold conditions are expected over isolated places in Uttarakhand on December 19 and 20.

Weather news LIVE: According to the IMD, light rainfall or snowfall is likely to happen at several places in J&K, Ladakh on December 20 and 21, and in Himachal Pradesh on December 22 and 23. This weather system will also bring rain, snow in parts of Uttarakhand on December 20 and 21. Light rainfall is expected at isolated places over Punjab between December 20 to 22.

Weather news LIVE: Residents near Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex woke up to hazy skies today as the area's Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 148, PTI reported. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, these levels are currently classified as "moderate," indicating a dip in atmospheric clarity. In other parts of Mumbai, AQI was recorded at Chembur (182), Kurla (126), Chakala-Andheri East-IITM (114), Mazgaon (91), Malad West (51), Ghatkopar (161) and Worli (106).

Weather news LIVE: Delhi cabinet minister Parvesh Verma blamed the previous AAP government for Delhi's air pollution crisis saying it failed to carry out even basic civic works over the past decade, leaving the present administration to address long-pending issues ranging from garbage mountains and broken roads to pollution and Yamuna cleaning. Verma said that if even a single substantial work had been done earlier, the city would not be facing the current situation. "They have not done one single job. We took charge on February 20, and since then we have been working continuously," he said, adding that road repairs were taken up before the monsoon to prevent waterlogging

Weather news LIVE: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday suggested that the BCCI should consider holding cricket matches in south India in December and January owing to the smog and poor visibility in northern parts of the country during winter months.

“My concern is that in December and January, fog across North India makes the game impossible. My argument is very simple: during this period, matches can be scheduled in South India. The BCCI should take weather conditions into account before scheduling,” Tharoor said. Tharoor made the remarks after the fourth T20I match between India and South Africa in Lucknow was called off due to poor visibility on Wednesday evening.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday said while the ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ rule may cause inconvenience to people, it is a collective moral responsibility to ensure that all vehicles are tested and certified for pollution.

Gupta sa'd no vehicle would be allowed to refuel in the city without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate, stressing that strict enforcement is necessary to curb worsening air quality.

"People are facing inconvenience, but every vehicle running in Delhi must operate without causing pollution. It is our collective moral responsibility to ensure our vehicles are PUC-certified," she said.

She added that strengthening the public transport system is the most effective solution to tackle pollution, and appealed to people to avoid using private vehicles for solo travel. "Carpooling and public transport should be preferred. Improving the transport system is the key to improving air quality," she said.

(PTI)

The fourth T20I of the five-match series between India and South Africa was abandoned due to excessive fog at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday. India leads the T20I series 2-1, with one more match to play.

Speaking to ANI, Shukla said, "The match had to be cancelled due to fog. The people were upset about it. We will need to review the scheduling of matches between 15 December to 15 January in north India to determine whether we need to shift them to south India or west India. Domestic matches are also being affected due to fog. It is a serious issue".

Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has announced that from Thursday, vehicles without a PUC certificate will not be provided fuel at petrol pumps.

A PUC certificate refers to a Pollution Under Control certificate, which is issued after a simple emission check of vehicles at authorised PUC centres across the national capital.

The PUC certificate is issued for ₹60 for two- and three-wheeled vehicles, and for ₹80 for four-wheeled vehicles. For diesel-driven vehicles, the cost of a PUC certificate is ₹100. It is valid for 12 months for Bharat Stage IV and Bharat Stage VI compliant vehicles.

The Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Thursday after the passage of the G RAM G bill amid opposition uproar over its provisions.

A discussion on air pollution in the Delhi National Capital Region was scheduled for later in the day. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was expected to initiate the discussion.

IndiGo has issued an updated travel advisory, urging passengers to check the flight status on the airline's website and app.

According to IndiGo, Fog continues to affect visibility around Gorakhpur and parts of the eastern region, slowing down flight movements.

"Fog continues to affect visibility around Gorakhpur and parts of the eastern region, slowing down flight movements at present. Operations are being managed carefully as conditions are assessed in real time, with safety remaining our top priority. For the latest updates, we encourage you to check your flight status on our website or app. Our teams are on ground to guide and assist you as we work towards smoother operations once visibility improves. Thank you for bearing with us. We look forward to getting you on your way as skies clear," the advisory on X read.

The Delhi Traffic Police intensified enforcement across the city on Thursday, as a ban on the entry of non-Delhi private vehicles below BS-VI standards and the 'No PUC, No Fuel' rule came into effect.

Traffic police personnel were seen personally checking pollution under control (PUC) certificates of vehicles before allowing refuelling at petrol pumps.

"Multiple teams of the Delhi Traffic Police have been deployed at key entry points into the city to stop non-compliant vehicles and ensure strict adherence to the curbs," a Delhi Traffic Police officer told PTI.

The officer further said that over 100 teams were deployed at various locations across Delhi to check vehicles entering the capital without valid PUC certificates.

The teams have been stationed at border points, toll plazas, and major entry corridors to ensure the implementation of the curbs, the officer said, adding, "Strict action will be taken against violators."

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Thursday criticised both the central and Delhi governments over rising air pollution, saying the residents of the national capital are "trapped in a gas chamber" and struggling to breathe.

Speaking to ANI, Tiwari said, "Today, breathing in Delhi has become difficult, speaking has become difficult. The people of Delhi are trapped in a gas chamber, feeling suffocated. For 11 years, the Modi government has been in power at the centre. What have they done?... I also hold the previous AAP government responsible. Both of these have made life difficult in Delhi, making it hard for the common man to breathe."

With fewer vehicles rolling in and enforcement teams stationed at entrances, petrol pumps across Delhi on Thursday wore a quieter look as the 'No PUC, No Fuel' rule came into force to curb worsening air pollution.

At several fuel stations, vehicles were seen queued up as pollution certificates were checked, while some motorists without documents were turned away, prompting a few to make phone calls for help, PTI reported.

The Delhi government on Thursday said that it was because the erstwhile AAP-led government "failed" to fulfil any of the pollution-related tasks that tackling the problem presently is becoming a big problem. Amid mounting concerns about air pollution due to a spike in the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city, Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma held a press conference in which he presented a large stack of tasks that the previous government should have completed.

"If the AAP government had even done half of these tasks, we would have had to do only the remaining ones... But Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP government have not done even a single task in the last 11 years...," Verma said.