A severe cold wave has gripped North India today, forcing authorities in Noida and Ghaziabad to close schools for classes up to Grade 8 until January 10, 2026. While the plains battle dense fog and flight disruptions, Jammu & Kashmir is witnessing bone-chilling temperatures, with Sonamarg recording the season’s lowest at minus 10.1 degrees Celsius.
Key Highlights
- School Closures: Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad schools (Nursery to Class 8) are closed until January 10 due to the cold.
- Kashmir Freeze: Sonamarg is the coldest in the valley at -10.1°C; Srinagar recorded a low of -1.6°C.
- Transport Hit: Over 50 trains bound for Delhi are running late; flights at IGI Airport face delays due to CAT III dense fog conditions.
- IMD Alert: “Cold Day” conditions declared for Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana, with relief unlikely before January 11.
- State-Wide Impact: Schools also shut in Jharkhand (till Jan 8) and Tripura (till Jan 10).
Main News Report
Kashmir Freezes: Sonamarg & Gulmarg Under Zero The cold wave has intensified significantly across the Kashmir Valley. According to the latest data accessed by Kitto News from the local Meteorological Centre, Sonamarg in Ganderbal district emerged as the coldest inhabited place in the valley, plummeting to a freezing -10.1°C last night.
Tourism hotspots are also shivering:
- Gulmarg: -7.6°C
- Pahalgam: -7.2°C
- Srinagar: -1.6°C (Airport: -2.2°C)
- Ladakh: Drass froze at an extreme -22.8°C, while Leh recorded -13.4°C.
Locals in Srinagar were seen lighting bonfires early this morning as dense fog reduced visibility around Dal Lake, impacting early morning commutes.
NCR Impact: Schools Shut & Fog Chaos In response to the plummeting mercury and dense fog, the District Magistrates of Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida) and Ghaziabad have issued official orders suspending physical classes for students up to Class 8 until Saturday, January 10. Online classes may resume for senior students.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has declared a “Cold Day” in Delhi today, with maximum temperatures dipping 4-6 degrees below normal. The Palam observatory reported visibility dropping to near-zero levels this morning, triggering CAT III instrument landing procedures at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Passengers are advised to check flight status before travelling.
Broader North India Alert The cold spell is not limited to the capital.
- Punjab & Haryana: Intense cold wave warnings remain in place until Jan 9.
- Jharkhand: The state government has ordered all schools to remain closed until January 8.
- Rajasthan: Winter vacations have been extended in districts like Jaipur due to ground frost warnings in isolated pockets.
Official Statements
“Cold wave conditions are very likely to prevail over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and North Rajasthan until January 9. Dense fog will continue to disrupt visibility during night and morning hours across the Indo-Gangetic plains.” — India Meteorological Department (IMD) Bulletin, Jan 7, 2026
“All schools recognized by CBSE, ICSE, and UP Board in Gautam Buddh Nagar will remain closed for students up to Class 8 till January 10 to ensure the safety of children.” — Rahul Panwar, District Basic Education Officer (Noida)
Impact on You
- Parents: Ensure you check WhatsApp groups or school portals for online class schedules if you are in Noida, Ghaziabad, or Jharkhand.
- Commuters: Expect delays on the Delhi-Noida Expressway and Yamuna Expressway due to morning fog. Train passengers should track status via the NTES app, as 50+ trains are delayed by 2-6 hours.
- Health: The drop in temperature combined with pollution (AQI remains ‘Very Poor’ in Delhi) increases the risk of respiratory issues. Doctors advise wearing masks and warm layers during early mornings.
FAQs
A: Yes, all schools in Noida and Greater Noida are closed for classes Nursery to 8 until January 10, 2026, due to the cold wave.
A: Srinagar recorded a minimum of -1.6°C, while Sonamarg was the coldest at -10.1°C on January 7, 2026.
A: Yes, flight operations are affected by dense fog (CAT III conditions). Passengers should check with airlines as delays and diversions are reported
