Chaos in northern India as cold snap hits 

A prolonged cold wave is causing chaos across parts of northern India. 

Normal life has been turned on its head as dense fog delays hundreds of flights and dozens of trains.

Authorities in Dehli have asked schools to extend winter holidays and cancelled classes. 

In parts of the city, the minimum temperature had dropped to 1.9C on Sunday. Whilst other northern states have also had to face the extreme cold with temperatures as low as -6C in Indian-administered Kashmir. 

India’s weather department declares a cold wave when the minimum temperature is less than 4C. 

People have been told to “avoid or limit outdoor activities” until weather conditions improve and to be careful whilst driving in the dense fog. 

Health issues, especially in Dehli, are another major concern of the severe cold. The capital also experiences severe pollution levels during the winter months. 

On Sunday, Delhi had one of its foggiest days of the season so far, with a thick mist covering the city for several hours. 

The foggy conditions have continued into Monday and vehicles are driving slowly on the roads. 

Officials have said that they expect the cold wave to begin subsiding from 10 January.