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The wildfire raging in the southern part of the Dz&uuml;kou Valley in Nagaland&rsquo;s Kohima district entered its eighth day on Monday, with officials confirming that the blaze has been largely brought under control.
The fire, which broke out on January 26, is now mostly restricted to areas below and around Mount Tempf&uuml;, according to Kohima Deputy Commissioner B Henok Buchem. Authorities stated that the main Dz&uuml;kou Valley remains unaffected and is currently free from immediate fire threats.
While the fire near the helipad area has been completely contained, fresh flare-ups have been reported in pockets around Mount Tempf&uuml; and Mount Merata. A coordinated multi-agency firefighting operation has been ongoing since the first day, involving more than 150 personnel.
Firefighting efforts on the ground have faced major challenges due to the region&rsquo;s rugged terrain, dense vegetation, and limited accessibility, particularly in areas behind Mount Tempf&uuml;. To support operations, two Indian Air Force helicopters have been deployed, carrying out multiple Bambi bucket sorties over the weekend, with additional aerial operations planned.
Preliminary assessments suggest that nearly one-third of the Dz&uuml;kou region may have been affected by the fire, although officials emphasised that the core valley area has remained untouched. Most of the damage has been reported in dwarf bamboo vegetation, which is expected to regenerate naturally within a few months.
Teams from the district administration, State Disaster Response Force, police, forest department, fire and emergency services, home guards, drone operators, the Southern Angami Youth Organisation, and personnel from the 13 Assam Rifles have been actively involved in containing the blaze.
Local organisations highlighted that the fire initially broke out between the Jakhama and Viswema entry routes before spreading towards Kehoke and Mount Tempf&uuml;. Authorities and community leaders have once again raised concerns over recurring wildfires in the Dz&uuml;kou Valley, attributing many incidents to visitor negligence.
The government, in consultation with local stakeholders, is considering formal guidelines for the long-term management and protection of the Dz&uuml;kou Valley. Tourists and trekkers have been urged to follow safety norms, engage authorised guides, and act responsibly to preserve the fragile ecosystem.

Fire enters eighth day as authorities say main Dzükou valley remains safe

Dzükou Wildfire Largely Contained in Nagaland

Delhi and the wider National Capital Region woke up to light rain and drizzles on Friday morning, bringing brief relief from dry winter conditions and a slight improvement in air quality. Several parts of Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad recorded short spells of rainfall, making the weather feel colder and fresher than the previous day.
Air quality showed marginal improvement following the showers. Early morning readings indicated that pollution levels had dipped slightly compared to Thursday, offering temporary respite to residents who have been dealing with persistent poor air conditions.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Delhi, warning of light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds. Wind speeds are expected to range between 40 and 60 kmph during the morning hours, and residents have been advised to remain cautious, especially while commuting.
Temperatures are also set to drop further. While the previous day recorded a minimum of 12&deg;C and a maximum of 19&deg;C, forecasts suggest that the mercury will fall to around 7&deg;C at night and rise only to about 17&deg;C during the day, intensifying the winter chill.
Weather conditions are expected to remain unsettled throughout the day. The forecast points to a generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of light rain, along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds during the early and forenoon hours. Another round of very light to light rain is likely towards the afternoon and evening.
In addition to the orange alert, a yellow alert is also in place for the day. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are expected across multiple time slots from morning to night. Authorities have advised people to stay updated on weather developments and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of strong winds and storms.
Shallow fog is also likely during the morning hours, which could reduce visibility on roads. Commuters have been urged to drive carefully and allow extra time for travel as weather conditions continue to fluctuate.

Rainy Morning in Delhi NCR, Orange Alert Issued

Light rain cools Delhi NCR as IMD issues orange alert with thunderstorms low temperature

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Dense fog blanketed the national capital on the final day of 2025, severely disrupting air travel and throwing New Year plans into disarray at Delhi&rsquo;s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
As visibility dropped to just a few metres on Wednesday morning, a total of 148 flights were cancelled, including 78 arrivals and 70 departures, while more than 150 other flights faced delays. The poor weather conditions prompted multiple airlines to issue advisories, urging passengers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport.
The weather department had earlier issued a yellow alert for moderate to dense fog on New Year&rsquo;s Eve. The fog not only disrupted flight schedules but also affected movement across key roads in the city, with visibility remaining extremely low for several hours.
Rail services were also impacted, with several trains running behind schedule due to poor visibility. Passengers were seen waiting at railway stations as train movement slowed across multiple routes in and around the capital.
Adding to the discomfort, Delhi&rsquo;s air quality remained alarming. The city recorded &ldquo;very poor&rdquo; air quality and was close to slipping into the &ldquo;severe&rdquo; category, with the overall air quality index touching 383 in the early morning hours.
In a passenger advisory, Delhi airport authorities warned of possible delays and cancellations due to fog and said flight operations were being conducted under CAT III protocols. Passengers were advised to stay in touch with their airlines for real-time updates, while airport ground teams were deployed to assist travelers.
Airlines including Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet issued separate advisories acknowledging the impact of dense fog on operations. Air India said it had proactively cancelled some morning flights most likely to be affected to minimise passenger inconvenience and prevent prolonged waiting at airports. The airline also highlighted measures to assist passengers in case of delays, diversions or cancellations, including options to reschedule or seek refunds without penalty for eligible flights.
IndiGo stated that reduced visibility across Delhi and other northern airports could affect arrivals and departures throughout the day, adding that operational adjustments were being made to ensure smoother journeys. The airline assured passengers that timely updates would be shared through registered contact details and digital platforms.
SpiceJet also cautioned that foggy conditions could impact all its departures, arrivals and consequential flights, advising passengers to regularly check their flight status.
With fog continuing to dominate weather conditions, authorities and airlines remained on alert as thousands of travelers navigated disruptions on one of the busiest travel days of the year.
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Delhi’s IGI Airport said that delays and cancellations were expected due to dense fog

Dense fog hits Delhi on New Year’s Eve, over 150 flights delayed at IGI Airport

Fog disrupts Delhi flights, 148 cancelled

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The Supreme Court on Monday stayed its November 20 judgment that had narrowed the definition of the Aravalli hills to landforms rising at least 100 metres above surrounding terrain, citing a &ldquo;dire need to further probe and clarify&rdquo; the issue to prevent regulatory gaps that could threaten the ecological integrity of one of India&rsquo;s most fragile mountain systems.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the matter, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.G. Masih ordered that both the earlier judgment and the recommendations of a court-appointed expert committee be kept in abeyance until a comprehensive re-examination is undertaken with the assistance of independent domain experts.
The interim stay effectively puts on hold the mapping and delineation exercise initiated earlier this month by the Union environment ministry and the governments of Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and Gujarat. That exercise had sought to identify Aravalli areas strictly on the basis of the 100-metre elevation criterion and was intended to form the foundation for future mining decisions in the region.
Directing that no irreversible administrative or ecological steps be taken meanwhile, the bench said that the committee&rsquo;s recommendations and the findings of the November 20 judgment would remain stayed until the proceedings reach &ldquo;logical finality&rdquo;. Notices were issued to the Centre and the four Aravalli states, and the matter has been listed for further hearing on January 21.
Describing the Aravalli range as the &ldquo;green lungs of north-western India&rdquo;, the court underscored its role as a two-billion-year-old ecological and socio-economic backbone of the region. The range acts as a natural barrier separating the Thar desert from the fertile northern plains, supports groundwater recharge, and sustains diverse ecosystems and livelihoods.
The stay order follows weeks of criticism and concern from environmentalists and conservationists who warned that the elevation-based definition could expose large parts of the ancient range to commercial exploitation and mining. The Union environment minister reiterated that the government remains committed to the protection and restoration of the Aravallis and clarified that a complete ban continues on granting new mining leases or renewing existing ones.
The bench noted that despite the Aravallis&rsquo; historical and environmental significance, decades of unchecked urbanisation, deforestation and intensive resource extraction have placed immense strain on what it described as an &ldquo;inherently fragile ecosystem&rdquo;. It observed that the November judgment had triggered multiple applications and widespread public criticism, raising concerns over ambiguity, misinterpretation and improper implementation.
While stating that there was no conclusive scientific material on record to justify outright acceptance of all criticisms, the court held that, prima facie, both the committee&rsquo;s report and the November ruling failed to clearly address several critical issues. It warned that regulatory gaps arising from these ambiguities could undermine long-term conservation of the range.
Among the unresolved concerns flagged by the bench were whether limiting the definition of the Aravallis to hills located within 500 metres of each other artificially narrows the conservation footprint; whether this approach inadvertently expands &ldquo;non-Aravalli&rdquo; areas where mining could proceed; and how ecological continuity would be preserved where gaps between qualifying hills exceed the prescribed distance.
The court also took note of criticism that only 1,048 out of 12,081 hills in Rajasthan reportedly meet the 100-metre threshold. If scientifically accurate, the bench said, this could strip vast portions of the Aravalli system of environmental protection, creating a serious regulatory vacuum warranting an exhaustive geological and ecological assessment.
In light of these concerns, the court indicated its inclination to constitute a high-powered expert committee to conduct a holistic, multi-temporal review of the existing recommendations. The proposed assessment would include identifying areas that fall within or outside the definition, evaluating the ecological impact of regulated mining, and examining whether exclusion of certain landforms risks irreversible degradation of the range.
During the hearing, the Union government welcomed the suo motu proceedings and submitted that several misconceptions had arisen regarding the November judgment. It was argued that the earlier ruling had accepted an expert committee&rsquo;s report and envisaged a detailed Management Plan for Sustainable Mining, which would become operational only after court approval. The government also indicated that public consultations were planned before finalising any such plan.
The bench, however, reiterated its concerns over whether an elevation-based definition could narrow conservation areas, expand the scope of non-Aravalli land, and leave critical ecological gaps vulnerable to mining and development. It also questioned how the structural and ecological continuity of the ancient mountain system would be preserved under the existing framework.
The court further reiterated, as a matter of abundant caution, that no permissions for new mining leases or renewals shall be granted in the Aravalli Hills and Ranges as identified in the Forest Survey of India&rsquo;s 2010 report, without prior approval of the Supreme Court.
The suo motu proceedings were initiated on December 27 amid mounting criticism of the November 20 ruling, which had accepted a purely elevation-based definition of the Aravallis. There was no uniform definition earlier, with only Rajasthan having a formal criterion based on terrain slope.
Stretching over 700 kilometres from eastern Gujarat through Rajasthan and Haryana to Delhi, the Aravalli range is among the world&rsquo;s oldest fold mountains and plays a crucial role in preventing desertification, supporting biodiversity, and maintaining ecological balance in north-western India.
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The Aravallis as the “green lungs of north-western India”

Top court pauses 100-metre definition, seeks expert review to protect Aravallis

SC stays Aravalli order, flags ecological risks

Tigress Sultana was spotted with her two newborn cubs in Rajasthan&rsquo;s Ranthambore Tiger Reserve on Friday morning, prompting a temporary closure of the route connecting Ranthambore Fort to Ganesh Dham for about 30 minutes.
Forest officials said Sultana gave birth near the Mishradarra Gate, the same area where all her previous litters were born, highlighting her strong territorial attachment. Devotees visiting Ganesh Dham early on Friday spotted the tigress with her cubs and alerted forest authorities.
&ldquo;About a month after giving birth, the tigress began shifting her cubs deeper into the forest. This morning, Sultana was seen carrying her two cubs into her core territory in Zone 1,&rdquo; an official said.
As a safety measure, the roughly 2.5-kilometre route was closed to visitors until the tigress safely relocated her cubs into the forest interior. The route was reopened soon after.
The forest department continues to monitor the nine-year-old tigress and her cubs to ensure their safety. Divisional Forest Officer Manas Singh confirmed that with the birth of Sultana&rsquo;s cubs, the total tiger population in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve has risen to approximately 73, including tigers, tigresses, and cubs.
Sultana, also known as T-107, is the daughter of the famous tigress T-39 and was first spotted on camera in November 2020 along with two cubs in the Amareshwar forest area. In 2022, she gave birth to two cubs, one of which fell into the Gaumukh Kund near Mishradarra Gate. In August 2023, she delivered a litter of three cubs.
Reports in April 2025 suggested that Sultana had given birth again, but the information could not be officially verified until now.
The sighting of Sultana and her cubs has delighted wildlife enthusiasts and reinforced her strong presence in the reserve.

Tigress Sultana was spotted with her two newly born cubs in Rajasthan’s Ranthambore

Tigress Sultana spotted with her two cubs in Ranthambore, forest route briefly closed

Tigress Sultana Seen with Two Newborn Cubs

Several airlines, including Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet, on Friday issued travel advisories warning passengers of possible flight disruptions as dense fog and low visibility conditions enveloped Delhi and other parts of northern India. The Delhi airport also cautioned travellers, advising them to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
Air India said weather forecasts indicating dense fog across Delhi and parts of northern and eastern India could impact flight schedules and may have cascading effects across its network. The airline stated that proactive measures have been taken to minimise disruptions. It assured passengers that in case of unexpected delays or cancellations, ground staff would assist with alternative arrangements.
The airline also announced an initiative under which passengers booked on certain flights likely to be affected would receive advance alerts. Such passengers will be allowed to change their flights without any additional charge or opt for a full refund. Air India requested travellers to stay updated on their flight status.
IndiGo Airlines released a similar advisory early on Friday, citing morning fog conditions across northern India. The airline said passengers travelling in the early hours may experience delays or revised departure timings. It added that teams are closely monitoring weather conditions and coordinating with air traffic authorities to reduce inconvenience.
SpiceJet also issued a weather update, warning that low visibility in Delhi could affect all arrivals, departures and consequential flights. Passengers were advised to plan their journeys accordingly.
The Delhi airport said that CAT III operations have been initiated amid dense fog, allowing aircraft to land safely in extremely low visibility conditions. However, it noted that delays and disruptions are likely and said on-ground teams are working with all stakeholders to assist passengers.
Earlier on Thursday, visibility across Delhi-NCR dropped sharply, reaching as low as 100 metres around 6 am. The severe conditions led to the cancellation of at least 27 flights, while around 500 others were delayed, significantly affecting air travel in the region.

IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet released travel advisory for flight disruptions

Airlines issue advisories as low visibility causes delays and cancellations in Delhi

Dense fog disrupts flights at Delhi airport

In the wake of multiple deadly accidents attributed to dense winter fog, highway authorities in Uttar Pradesh have intensified safety measures across expressways and national highways. Officials confirmed that at least 25 people lost their lives and 59 others were injured in a series of collisions on Tuesday, with the worst incident occurring on the Yamuna Expressway in Mathura, where a multi-vehicle pile-up claimed 13 lives.
Other fatalities were reported from Basti and Unnao, with four deaths each, while Meerut and Barabanki recorded two deaths each. Most of the accidents were rear-end collisions caused by poor visibility, officials noted.
The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), which manages key access-controlled highways including the Agra-Lucknow, Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, and Gorakhpur Link expressways, said enhanced precautions are being implemented to prevent further mishaps.
UPEIDA has proposed reducing the maximum speed limit on expressways from 120 kmph to 80 kmph during the fog season, which typically lasts until mid-February. Special advisories are also being issued for two-wheeler riders, who are urged to halt at toll plazas during dense fog. Facilities including blankets and basic amenities are being arranged for riders waiting at these stops.
Public address systems at toll plazas have been activated to provide real-time announcements on fog conditions based on inputs from patrol teams. Authorities are paying particular attention to low-lying stretches and areas near water bodies, where fog tends to be denser. Pamphlets with safety guidelines, do&rsquo;s and don&rsquo;ts, and emergency helpline numbers, including 14449, are being distributed to commuters. Parking on expressways remains strictly prohibited.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has also launched a statewide drive to improve visibility and road safety awareness during the fog season. While the speed limit on NHAI highways is set at 100 kmph, officials highlighted that wrong-side driving and unauthorised entry or exit through highway cuts continue to be major causes of accidents.
Reflective tapes are being distributed to vehicles to improve visibility, particularly for tractor-trolleys, trucks, three-wheelers, and even bullock carts, many of which either lack reflective material or have non-functional lights. Regular patrol vehicles assist commuters, and toll plazas make frequent announcements about safe driving practices, emergency contacts, and fog advisories.
Authorities emphasized that road lights, markings, and blinkers are being properly maintained, and patrol teams are actively monitoring for wrong-lane driving. Toll plazas such as Luharli, Gabhana, and Dakhina-Sheikhpur manage tens of thousands of vehicles daily, making these measures crucial for accident prevention.
Motorists are being urged to exercise extreme caution, maintain safe distances, and adhere strictly to advisories, as dense fog conditions are expected to persist across the state over the coming weeks.

Authorities tighten expressway safety as dense winter fog causes multiple fatal accidents

UP Highways Boost Fog Safety After Deadly Crashes

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday apologised to the residents of the national capital over the worsening air quality, stating that it is unrealistic to expect any elected government to completely control pollution within nine to ten months.
Addressing a press briefing, Sirsa said the scale of Delhi&rsquo;s pollution crisis cannot be resolved in such a short time frame. He maintained that while the government is taking daily corrective steps, air pollution is a long-standing problem inherited from previous administrations.
His remarks came as Delhi&rsquo;s Air Quality Index remained in the severe category for three consecutive days before marginally improving to the very poor category on Tuesday. According to Central Pollution Control Board data, the city&rsquo;s AQI was recorded in the very poor range during the morning hours, after several locations reported levels above 400 over the past two days.
The minister outlined multiple measures taken to curb pollution, including a ban on the entry of non-Delhi private vehicles that do not meet BS-VI emission norms and restrictions on the movement of construction materials within the city. He said strict enforcement action is being taken against violators.
Sirsa also said vehicles without valid pollution under control certificates are being denied fuel, with petrol pumps monitored through camera surveillance. He added that fines amounting to ₹9 crore have been imposed on polluting industries.
To reduce emissions from wood burning, the government has distributed 10,000 heaters, while banquet halls have been instructed to regulate the use of DJs. The minister said pollution levels have shown month-on-month improvement, but stressed that the crisis cannot be resolved within seven to eight months.
Highlighting ongoing efforts, Sirsa said landfill sites are being reduced in height by 15 metres, and nearly 45 acres of land are being cleaned and reclaimed. He added that 62 pollution hotspots have been identified, with 13 showing improvement compared to last year. The deployment of 3,427 electric buses is also part of the city&rsquo;s emission reduction strategy.
The minister said a dedicated committee of scientists has been formed and is holding regular meetings to devise long-term solutions. As per CPCB data, Delhi&rsquo;s overall AQI stood at 378 around 8 am on Tuesday, marking a slight improvement from 427 recorded the previous evening.

Delhi environment minister apologises as AQI stays very poor to severe

Fixing Delhi Pollution in 10 Months Impossible

Delhi&rsquo;s air quality improved marginally on Tuesday, slipping from the &lsquo;severe&rsquo; category to &lsquo;very poor&rsquo; after three consecutive days of extreme pollution, even as shallow fog continued to disrupt flight operations at the national capital&rsquo;s airport.
The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 377 at 8 am, down from 427 recorded on Monday evening. On Sunday, the AQI had peaked at 461, marking the second-worst December air quality day on record. The improvement came as wind speeds increased and fog intensity reduced, shifting from very dense conditions on Monday to shallow fog on Tuesday.
Despite the improvement, aviation operations remained under strain. More than 200 flights were delayed at Indira Gandhi International Airport by 8 am on Tuesday, largely due to the cascading impact of Monday&rsquo;s dense fog, which had forced a near five-hour halt in take-offs. On Monday alone, over 800 flights were delayed, more than 220 were cancelled and five were diverted, leaving many passengers stranded at terminals following last-minute disruptions.
Airlines also pre-emptively cancelled some services on Tuesday. Flight tracking data showed 86 arriving flights were delayed and three were cancelled, while 119 departures were delayed with no reported cancellations. A flight is classified as delayed if it departs or arrives more than 15 minutes behind schedule.
In a late-night statement on Monday, Air India said the dense fog had led to parking bay constraints at the airport, triggering delays and cancellations that caused network-wide disruptions. Anticipating similar fog conditions on Tuesday, the airline cancelled select flights in advance, offering affected passengers full refunds or free rescheduling.
IndiGo, too, issued an early-morning advisory, cautioning that fog typical of northern India during winter could slow flight movements. The airline said ground adjustments were being made to minimise inconvenience and ensure passenger comfort during waiting periods.
The Delhi airport authority said in an early-morning update that operations were steadily recovering but warned that disruptions could continue for some arrivals and departures.
Meteorological data showed visibility at the airport had improved to 600 metres by 8 am on Tuesday, compared to just 50 metres on Monday. Dense fog conditions were also reported in parts of Uttar Pradesh, including Bareilly, where visibility dropped to zero, and Lucknow, where it dipped to 50 metres in the early hours.
Weather experts forecast further improvement in both air quality and visibility during the day, with wind speeds expected to rise to around 25 km per hour. A shift in wind direction to westerly and increased wind speed were expected to help disperse pollutants and reduce fog intensity as the day progressed.

The wind direction changed to westerly on Monday

Shallow fog and lingering smog disrupt flights as air quality remains alarming

Delhi AQI ‘very poor’, fog delays 200 flights

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), activated every year between November and January, has once again become Delhi&rsquo;s primary instrument to combat worsening air quality. However, its repeated use has raised concerns about over-reliance on what was originally conceived as an emergency, short-term measure rather than a permanent solution to air pollution in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).
Introduced in 2016, GRAP was designed to be triggered during extreme pollution episodes while long-term, systemic interventions were implemented to address the root causes of toxic air. Nearly a decade later, those structural fixes remain inadequate, forcing authorities to repeatedly cycle through GRAP stages 1 to 4. This dependence, critics argue, has created a false sense of action while allowing chronic pollution to persist, with serious consequences for public health and the economy.
The central question being raised is why such emergency measures are still required year after year. Instead of working towards conditions where GRAP becomes unnecessary, policymakers continue to treat it as a catch-all remedy, despite evidence that it fails to deliver sustained relief.
Experience over the past nine years has also exposed the social inequities embedded in the current approach. Wealthier sections of society are largely insulated from the harshest effects of pollution through air purifiers, private transport and controlled indoor environments. Their lifestyles continue with minimal disruption, even as large numbers of service workers and commuters remain exposed to hazardous air while travelling to support these activities.
This has prompted calls for a more stringent and equitable implementation of restrictions. Suggestions include banning all sporting and outdoor institutional activities from the first stage of GRAP, enforcing a broader social lockdown from stage two, and imposing a complete ban on diesel vehicles across all GRAP stages, alongside additional taxation on their use.
While such measures may be viewed as extreme, proponents argue that strict enforcement is necessary to ensure compliance and achieve meaningful reductions in pollution. They maintain that public adherence will follow if governance is firm and consistent.
Beyond emergency responses, there is growing emphasis on addressing landscape-level pollution through sustained policy action, infrastructure reform and environmental planning. Without these long-term interventions, GRAP risks remaining a recurring stopgap that manages crises temporarily but fails to secure clean air for the future.

Reliance on GRAP masks failures in long-term air pollution control efforts

Environment