This winter update for Kolkata covers the record-breaking cold, deteriorating air quality, and travel advisories as of January 8, 2026.
Kolkata Shivers: Record 10.2°C Chill & "Cold Day" Alert as AQI Hits Crisis Levels
Kolkata | January 8, 2026 — West Bengal’s capital is currently in the grip of its most punishing winter spell in over a decade. The city recorded a minimum temperature of 10.2°C on January 6, marking the lowest January temperature in 15 years. This departure is nearly 7^{\circ}C below the seasonal normal, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a formal "Cold Day" warning for today, January 8.
The Weather Breakdown
A "Cold Day" is declared when the minimum temperature drops below 10^{\circ}C (or stays significantly below normal) while the maximum temperature fails to rise, keeping the daytime exceptionally chilly.
* Current Minimum: 10.2°C (Alipore); lower in suburbs like Dum Dum (9.5°C).
* Max Temperature: Forecasted to stay 3–5°C below the usual 26°C.
* Outlook: The IMD expects the chill to intensify over the next 48 hours due to strong north-westerly winds.
Air Quality Crisis (AQI 235–250)
The severe cold has been accompanied by a "stagnant air" phenomenon. Lack of wind has trapped local pollutants near the ground, pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) into the "Very Poor" category.
* Health Advisory: Officials have urged the elderly, children, and those with asthma or COPD to avoid outdoor activities, especially during early morning hours when pollutant concentration is highest.
Travel Alert: Fog Disrupts CCU Operations
Dense morning fog has severely throttled operations at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU). Visibility dropped to near zero (50–100 meters) during peak early-morning hours, leading to a ripple effect of delays.
| Entity | Status / Advisory |
| IndiGo | Issued a system-wide advisory; several flights are operating with revised timings. |
| SpiceJet | Warned that all CCU (Kolkata) arrivals and departures are "likely to be affected." |
| Air India | Reported a "cascading impact" on the domestic network due to heavy fog in Kolkata and Delhi. |
| Road Traffic | Major Slowdowns: EM Bypass and NH12 are heavily congested due to "blind fog" conditions. |
Commuter Note: Major arteries, including the EM Bypass and NH12, reported significant traffic slowdowns this morning due to "blind fog" conditions.
Safety Tips: Navigating the "Cold Day" Crisis
To help our readers stay safe during this extreme weather, we have compiled the following essential guidelines:
1. Respiratory Health & Air Quality
Mask Up: If you must head out early, wear an N95 mask. It helps filter out PM2.5 pollutants trapped by the cold air.
Limit Morning Exercise: Move your workouts to late afternoon when the sun is out and the air is slightly clearer.
Hydrate: Cold air is dry. Drinking warm fluids helps keep your respiratory membranes moist and resilient against infections.
2. Travel & Road Safety
Check Flight Status: Do not leave for the airport without checking your airline’s app. Delays are currently "cascading."
Fog Driving: If you are driving on NH12 or the EM Bypass, use low-beam headlights (high beams reflect off fog and blind you).
Maintain Distance: Double your following distance behind the car in front to account for sudden stops in low visibility.
3. Protecting the Vulnerable
Layering: Wear multiple thin layers rather than one heavy jacket. This traps heat more effectively.
Check on Neighbours: Ensure the elderly in your community have adequate blankets and heating, as they are most susceptible to hypothermia during "Cold Day" conditions.
RASHMI RANJAN
