The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for four districts of Tamil Nadu, warning of very heavy rainfall over the next two days as a deep low-pressure system continues to influence weather patterns over the region.

According to the IMD, Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, and Kancheepuram are expected to receive intense rainfall on Saturday and the day after, with the possibility of waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and localised flooding, especially in low-lying and urban areas.

Residents have been advised to remain vigilant and follow official weather advisories.

Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Saturday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 358 at 6:05 a.m., according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Sameer app. The national Capital continued to experience harsh cold wave conditions, with the minimum temperature dropping to 5.4 degrees Celsius.

On Friday morning, the AQI stood at 318, which was also classified as ‘very poor’. Delhi has been reeling under deteriorating air quality over the past several days, with many areas reporting AQI levels ranging from ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’, as per CPCB data.

An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter Scale was felt in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, although the epicentre was in Tajikistan, said officials here, adding that there were no reports of any loss of life or damage to property.

Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the local Meteorological (MeT) Department, told that an earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale occurred at 2.44 a.m.

“The epicentre of the earthquake was in Tajikistan, and it occurred 110 km inside the earth’s crust. Its coordinates were latitude 38.26 degrees north and longitude 73.42 degrees east. The tremors were felt in J&K, although no casualty or damage to property has been reported from anywhere so far,” the MeT department director said.

Three migrant workers from Bihar were killed in a road accident in Telangana's Nalgonda district on Friday, police said.

The accident occurred near Miryalguda Bypass when a truck collided with a cement tanker.

Three other people, who sustained injuries in the incident, were shifted to Miryalguda Area Hospital. The deceased have been identified as Biru Bai (30), Santosh (30) and Suraj (18), all hailing from Bihar.

Three people, including the daughter of former Madhya Pradesh Home Minister, were killed in a road accident on early Friday near Tejaji Nagar Bypass in Ralamandal, Indore.

Another woman was seriously injured in the accident.

The victims included Prerna, the daughter of Bala Bachchan, a prominent Congress leader who served as Madhya Pradesh's Home Minister in the past and is currently the MLA from Rajpur constituency.

The Minimum temperature dropped further across Jammu and Kashmir on Friday as Srinagar city recorded the coldest night of the season so far at minus 6 degrees Celsius.

Srinagar city virtually froze with minus 6 as water taps, road puddles and shallow water bodies froze in the Valley due to very low night temperatures.

The gap between the maximum and the minimum temperature has also narrowed down as Srinagar recorded 11.2 degrees as the maximum temperature on Thursday.

Residents of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) were caught off guard early Friday morning as an unexpected spell of rain swept across the region, deepening the ongoing cold wave. Despite the showers, air pollution levels continued to remain dangerously high, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded in the ‘very poor’ category.

Dark clouds enveloped the capital in the early hours before rainfall began around 6 a.m. in several parts of Delhi. The rain was moderate to heavy initially and later turned light. Cold northwesterly winds accompanied the showers, further intensifying the chill. Gurugram also experienced rainfall, even though no specific precipitation warning had been issued for the city.

In a tragic incident, four pilgrims, including a girl, returning from Sabarimala in Kerala, were killed and seven others were injured in a road accident near the Kora region close to the Vasanthanarasapura Industrial Area in Karnataka's Tumakuru district on Friday.

According to police, the tragedy occurred when the cruiser vehicle carrying the pilgrims rammed into a parked truck.

The deceased were identified as six-year-old Sakshi, 30-year-old Venkateshappa, 35-year-old Marathappa, and 40-year-old Gavisiddappa.

In a tragic road accident, two persons, including a church priest, were killed on the spot, while another priest sustained serious injuries in Jharkhand’s Khunti district, officials said on Thursday.

The accident occurred around 11 p.m. on Wednesday near Dodma Bazaar Tand on the Khunti-Simdega main road under Torpa police station limits.

The victims were travelling in a car that reportedly rammed into a truck from behind.

Birthday celebrations turned tragic as four students were killed and another critically injured when an SUV in which they were travelling rammed into a tree near Hyderabad early Thursday, police said.

The accident occurred near Mirzapur in Mokila of Rangareddy district.

According to police, the group of students were returning to Hyderabad from Mokila following birthday celebrations of one of the deceased.

Crucial documents related to Special Intensive Revision (SIR) were gutted as fire broke out at the SDO office in West Bengal's Siliguri district.

According to the police, a fire suddenly broke out at the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) office on Hill Cart Road in Mallaguri early on Thursday.

As a result of the fire, two rooms of the SDO office have been completely gutted.

 With minus 5.1 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature, Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar city recorded this season’s coldest night on Thursday.

Mukhtar Ahmed, director of the local Meteorological (MeT) Department, told, “At minus 5.1 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature, Srinagar city recorded this season’s lowest minimum temperature today.”

Gulmarg recorded minus 9.2 degrees Celsius, and Pahalgam recorded minus 8.6 as the minimum temperature.

Delhi’s air quality showed a marginal improvement on Thursday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 279 at 7.05 a.m., placing it in the ‘poor’ category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Sameer app. Despite the slight relief in pollution levels, Delhi-NCR continued to reel under severe cold wave conditions for the second consecutive day, as dense fog and chilly winds led to a sharp drop in temperatures across the region.

This marked a slight improvement from Wednesday, when the national capital recorded an AQI of 302 at the same time, categorising the air quality as ‘very poor’.

Cold conditions in West Bengal will continue in the next few days, the Meteorological office said on Wednesday.

The cold spell will continue for the next few days, with the minimum temperature likely to drop further.

Delhi Police have arrested five people in connection with the stone-pelting incident during the demolition drive near a mosque, officials said.

The incident occurred near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in the Turkman Gate area, close to Ramlila Ground, where authorities launched an anti-encroachment operation.

According to officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the drive was conducted to clear unauthorised structures from land adjoining the mosque and nearby areas, in compliance with directions issued by the Delhi High Court on November 12, 2025.

In a major intelligence-led operation, Punjab Police’s State Special Operation Cell of Mohali, in coordination with Counter Intelligence of Ludhiana, have apprehended two men who were planning a targeted killing on the directions of foreign-based handlers, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said on Wednesday.

One 9 mm pistol, along with five cartridges, was recovered from the Ludhiana-based accused.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested accused were in contact with UK and Germany-based handlers associated with the Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) and linked to hardline extremist ideology.

The minimum temperature improved marginally across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, as Srinagar city recorded minus 1.6 degrees Celsius.

Due to partial night-long cloud cover, the minimum temperature improved in Jammu and Kashmir as Srinagar recorded minus 1.6, Gulmarg minus 7.6 and Pahalgam minus 7.2.

Jammu city recorded 8.7 degrees Celsius, Katra town 6.2, Batote 3.1, Banihal 2.3 and Bhaderwah minus 2.6 as the night's lowest temperature.

Delhi and the NCR region, including Noida and Greater Noida, were facing severe cold conditions coupled with high pollution levels on Wednesday, making mornings particularly harsh for residents.

Strong winds have intensified the chill, while air quality has deteriorated to the “poor” category in most areas, raising concerns for public health.

Delhi recorded an AQI of 302 at 7 a.m., with several areas entering the red zone and some locations reporting levels above 350.

Huge flames following a gas leak from a well of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) in Andhra Pradesh’s Ambedkar Konaseema district on Monday sent people in a state of panic, forcing authorities to evacuate residents of nearby villages.

Panic gripped Irusumanda and surrounding villages in Malikipuram Mandal following a massive gas leak from a well of the ONGC.

An intense cold wave has tightened its hold over the entire Bundelkhand region, affecting districts in both Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.

Dense fog and biting northerly winds have made daily life difficult for residents, while low visibility has disrupted road and rail traffic. As many as nineteen district administrations have declared holidays in schools, while the rest of the districts have changed the timing of opening.

With the cold wave becoming severe, the ski resort of Gulmarg recorded minus 8.8 as the minimum temperature on Monday, while Srinagar recorded minus 3.6 as the minimum temperature.

The Meteorological (MeT) Department said that at minus 8.8 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature, Gulmarg witnessed the season’s coldest night.

Srinagar had minus 3.6 degrees Celsius, and Pahalgam minus 4.8 as a minimum temperature.

An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 struck Assam’s Morigaon district early Monday, underscoring the persistent seismic vulnerability of the northeastern region and renewing focus on preparedness amid recent tremors, officials said.

The temblor occurred at 04.17 a.m. on January 5, with its epicentre located at latitude 26.37 degrees N and longitude 92.29 degrees E at a depth of 50 km, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS).

Officials said there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage to property.

Delhi’s air quality remained in the 'poor' category on Monday morning as the national capital continued to reel under a cold wave. The minimum temperature dropped sharply by 4.5 degrees Celsius, settling at 6.5 degrees Celsius, which is below the seasonal average.

Area-wise data indicated that the Air Quality Index (AQI) continued to hover in the poor range across most parts of the city. Akshardham recorded an AQI of 294, while ITO registered 256, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Police in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district said on Saturday that they have acted against 24 people for violating the ban order on the use of virtual private networks (VPNs).

A police statement issued on Saturday said, “In continuation of efforts to enforce lawful orders and prevent the misuse of digital platforms, Budgam Police have acted against the use of unauthorised Virtual Private Network (VPN) services across the district.

“Following prohibitory orders issued by the District Administration on December 29, 2025, banning unauthorised VPN usage, Budgam Police carried out systematic verification and monitoring.

Security personnel and devotees at the historic Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple in Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh were sent into a state of panic after an inebriated man climbed the temple's 100-foot 'Gopuram' (monumental entrance tower), causing a massive security scare, the police said on Saturday.

He has been detained and taken to the Tirupati police station for questioning.

 The impact of a western disturbance has led to a rise in temperatures across Kolkata and several south Bengal districts, offering brief relief after days of bone-chilling cold when the mercury had dipped to around 11 degrees Celsius.

On Saturday morning, the minimum temperature in Kolkata was recorded at 14.2 degrees Celsius, close to normal for this time of the year. On Friday, the city had

Dense smog and fog enveloped large parts of the national Capital on Saturday morning, significantly reducing visibility and affecting daily life across the city.

Prominent landmarks such as Rashtrapati Bhawan and India Gate were shrouded in thick haze, while visibility on Kartavya Path dropped sharply, leading to traffic slowdowns and travel disruptions.

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) accessed through the SAMEER app, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 235 on Saturday morning, placing it in the ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ category. Authorities have advised residents, particularly children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions, to limit outdoor activities due to the deteriorating air quality.

Intense cold gripped Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday as the minimum temperature dropped below the freezing point throughout the Valley, with water taps and water puddles freezing.

Srinagar city recorded the minimum temperature at minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, Gulmarg (minus 6.5) and Pahalgam (minus 5.2).

Jammu city recorded 7.9 degrees Celsius, Katra town 6.6, Batote 4.2, Banihal 2.7 and Bhaderwah minus 1.5 as the night's lowest temperature.

Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Friday prohibited trekking, camping, hiking and similar outdoor activities in high altitude and forested areas ok Kokernag, citing "security reasons".

The cold spell in Rajasthan is set to intensify from Sunday, with night temperatures likely to drop to around 4 degrees Celsius in parts of Rajasthan, according to Radheshyam Sharma, Director of the Meteorological Centre, Jaipur.

He said a cold wave will grip the state, leading to a drop of 4 to 6 degrees Celsius in minimum temperatures across several regions.

Due to severe cold conditions, Anganwadi centres in Sri Ganganagar have been closed until January 10.

Due to a clear night sky, the minimum temperature dropped throughout Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, and the Meteorological (MeT) Department has forecast cloudy, but mostly dry weather for the next 48 hours.

Srinagar city had one degree Celsius, Gulmarg minus 7 and Pahalgam minus 6.2 degrees as the minimum temperature.

Jammu city had 6 degrees Celsius, Katra town 6.5, Batote 2.8, Banihal minus 1.1 and Bhaderwah minus 2.8 degrees as the night’s lowest temperature.

A large-scale bulldozer drive is underway in Rajasthan's Chomu following notices issued to 20 illegal slaughterhouses in Pathans’ Mohalla, with the administration also preparing action against unauthorised constructions. Heavy police deployment has been put in place to maintain law and order, with senior officers monitoring the situation on the ground.

The action comes in the wake of a dispute over alleged encroachment near a mosque in Chomu, during which incidents of stone-pelting were reported.

Winter conditions in Delhi and adjoining areas of the National Capital Region (NCR) are set to intensify, with the weather department forecasting cold wave conditions in the coming days. Even as temperatures are expected to drop further, the city has seen a noticeable improvement in air quality on Friday.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), cold wave conditions are likely to prevail at isolated locations in Delhi between January 2 and 5. A cold wave is declared when the minimum temperature falls between 4.5 and 6.5 degrees Celsius below the normal average.

On the first day of the New Year, major temples across Rajasthan witnessed massive crowds of devotees, with long queues and heavy traffic jams from the early hours of the morning.

In Jaipur, devotees began lining up outside Govinddevji Temple and Motidungri Ganeshji Temple as early as 4 a.m. The heavy influx of pilgrims led to congestion at Badi Chaupar and Chandi Ki Taksal Road in the walled city (Parkote area).

Most of the vehicles entering the area were carrying devotees seeking darshan at Govinddevji Temple. In Sikar, the doors of Khatushyamji Temple have been opened continuously for the past 6 day, and devotees on Thursday will be allowed darshan until late in the night.

Rajasthan experienced widespread rain, hailstorms, dense fog, and an intense cold wave on Thursday, marking a chilly start to the New Year across the state.

Intermittent rainfall was reported in several districts, including Jaipur, Chittorgarh, Ajmer, Kota, and Sikar. Chittorgarh received heavy rain for about half an hour around 5 a.m., while Ramgarh (Sikar) also witnessed intense showers.