India

Weather alert: Mercury set to rise, Western Disturbances to bring heavy rainfall in North

Weather alert: Mercury set to rise, Western Disturbances to bring heavy rainfall in North

National Times Bureau :- A notable shift in weather conditions is on the cards as a strong western disturbance moves in, affecting northern India. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast fairly widespread to widespread rain and snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh on January 22. Minimum temperatures across northwest India are expected to rise gradually by two to four degrees Celsius over the next two days, offering relief from the prevailing cold wave. In Delhi, temperatures are likely to climb, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a maximum of around 21 degrees Celsius. Himachal Pradesh…
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Makar Sankranti begins on chilly note as cold wave, dense fog prevail; IMD issues orange alert

Makar Sankranti begins on chilly note as cold wave, dense fog prevail; IMD issues orange alert

National Times Bureau :- As India celebrates Makar Sankranti on Wednesday, the festival will take place during an ongoing cold wave and widespread fog across northern India. However, weather experts say winter will now slowly start to weaken. Makar Sankranti traditionally marks the end of the coldest part of winter as the Sun begins moving north. This year, the change will be gradual. Temperatures are expected to rise slightly after the next two nights, giving slow relief from the cold, but fog will continue to appear in the mornings. In the mountains of North India, including the Western Himalayas, some…
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India’s Harvest Festivals Celebrate Unity in Diversity and Spirit of Gratitude

India’s Harvest Festivals Celebrate Unity in Diversity and Spirit of Gratitude

Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Celebrated across different regions during the harvest season, festivals such as Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Uttarayan, Magh Bihu, and Bhogi beautifully reflect the richness of India’s traditions, cultural heritage, and unity in diversity. Though known by different names and observed with unique rituals, these festivals share a common essence—gratitude to nature, farmers, and the harvest that sustains life.From the warmth of Lohri bonfires in North India to the sacred sun worship of Makar Sankranti, the thanksgiving celebrations of Pongal in the South, the vibrant kite-flying festivities of Uttarayan in the West, and the joyful observance of Magh…
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Canada–India Relations Thaw as Prime Minister Mark Carney Prepares Landmark Visit to New Delhi; High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik Says “Trust Is Back”

Canada–India Relations Thaw as Prime Minister Mark Carney Prepares Landmark Visit to New Delhi; High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik Says “Trust Is Back”

Toronto ( Rajeev Sharma): Canada and India are set to reset strained bilateral ties as Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares to visit India in the coming weeks, ending more than two years of diplomatic friction. The visit comes as both countries seek to diversify trade partnerships amid rising U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump’s trade war. India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, confirmed the visit will take place after India presents its federal budget on February 1. He said the renewed engagement signals a clear improvement in relations, noting that “trust is back in the system” and that both…
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North India shatters Winter records as temperature plunge sharply, Cold wave to persist

North India shatters Winter records as temperature plunge sharply, Cold wave to persist

National Times Bureau :- Winter has tightened its grip across North India, breaking several past records as temperatures plunged sharply in many regions. Cities across Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan witnessed a steep fall in mercury levels. According to the Meteorological Department, there is no immediate relief from the cold wave over the next two days. Severe Cold Across North IndiaThe national capital Delhi recorded its coldest day of the season on Sunday. Minimum temperatures at various locations in the city were as follows: Aya Nagar: 2.9°C (lowest in Delhi)Palam: 3.0°CRidge area: 3.7°CLodhi Road: 4.6°CSafdarjung: 4.8°CColdest Plains in the CountryRajasthan…
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Dense Fog and Bad Weather Disrupt Flights, Indigo Cancels 57 Operations Across Major Airports

Dense Fog and Bad Weather Disrupt Flights, Indigo Cancels 57 Operations Across Major Airports

National Times Bureau :- Severe fog and adverse weather conditions have forced Indigo Airlines to cancel 57 flights across various airports, causing widespread disruption for travelers. According to the airline’s official website, an additional 13 flights scheduled for Sunday have also been called off, primarily due to weather forecasts and operational constraints. Major airports affected include Delhi, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has designated the period from December 10 to February 10 as the “official fog period,” mandating that airlines deploy pilots trained for low-visibility operations and aircraft equipped with CAT-IIIB technology.…
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Two school buses collide due to dense fog in Mohali; driver, children sustain injuries

Two school buses collide due to dense fog in Mohali; driver, children sustain injuries

National Times Bureau :- Dense fog and extremely low visibility triggered massive road traffic disruptions. Two school buses collided on the Chandigarh highway near Kurali in Mohali on Thursday morning due to dense fog. One bus was coming from Kurali, while the other was heading towards Kurali on the wrong side, leading to the collision. Five people, including the drivers of both buses, were injured in the accident and were immediately rushed to the hospital. According to the eyewitnesses, one bus was coming from the Kurali side, while the other was moving towards Kurali in the wrong direction. Visibility at…
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Delhi bans entry of old cars starting today, no fuel without pollution certificate

Delhi bans entry of old cars starting today, no fuel without pollution certificate

National Times Bureau :- Vehicles that do not comply with BS-VI emission standards will be barred from entering the national capital starting today, as the Delhi government steps up its anti-pollution drive. In addition, fuel stations will refuse service to vehicles lacking a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate. The restriction on non-BS-VI vehicles is expected to affect nearly 12 lakh vehicles that enter Delhi daily from neighbouring cities such as Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Noida. This includes more than 4 lakh vehicles from Noida, around 2 lakh from Gurugram, and about 5.5 lakh from Ghaziabad. To enforce the rules,…
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Delhi enforces 50% work from home as air quality slips to ‘severe plus’; violators face penalties

Delhi enforces 50% work from home as air quality slips to ‘severe plus’; violators face penalties

National Times Bureau :- As toxic smog engulfed the national capital, the Delhi Government has directed all offices, government as well as private, to operate with at least 50 per cent of their staff working from home. Authorities have cautioned that strict action, including fines, will be taken against organisations that fail to comply with the order. Delhi recorded one of its worst air quality readings of the season on December 15, when the Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 498, placing it firmly in the ‘severe plus’ category. This marked a further decline from the previous day, when pollution levels…
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Four killed after buses and cars collide, catch fire due to dense fog on Delhi-Agra Expressway

Four killed after buses and cars collide, catch fire due to dense fog on Delhi-Agra Expressway

National Times Bureau :- A fatal multi-vehicle accident caused by dense fog on the Delhi–Agra Expressway in Uttar Pradesh claimed four lives and injured about 25 others early Tuesday. The crash involved eight buses and three cars that collided in quick succession and caught fire. According to Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar, the incident took place on the Agra–Noida stretch of the Yamuna Expressway. Thick fog severely reduced visibility, leaving drivers little time to react as vehicles slammed into one another. The collisions triggered a major fire that rapidly spread, engulfing the buses and cars. The force of the impact…
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