Mumbai: Despite COVID curbs hindering celebrations, street parties and gatherings are still taking place across the globe as each country rings in the New Year.
New Year’s Eve plans have largely been muted or cancelled for the second straight year due to a surge in coronavirus infections – this time driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant.
However, many nations are making the best of it and going ahead with extravagant fireworks displays and celebrations.
Muted celebration are underway in India where several states have imposed blanket bans on New Year celebrations.
Mumbai, New Delhi and Chennai have banned gatherings.
Celebrations are going ahead with limited numbers in Kolkata, West Bengal, but many clubs have opted to cancel events in the face of the Omicron variant.
People in Dubai are welcoming the New Year with an extravagant fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa skyscraper tonight, while a laser show takes place at the nearby Dubai Fountain.
In Ras al Khaimah, a 12-minute show will feature hundreds of pyrotechnic drones and span almost three miles in length, lighting up the sky over the Arabian Sea.
The UK’s “spectacular” began with a countdown to midnight on the Shard, before a monologue took place following a scattering of fireworks on the Millennium Bridge.
The speech walked through the UK’s achievements this year, including the successes of the Tokyo Olympics and Emma Raducanu’s win at the US Open.
Cameras then cut to displays in Greenwich Park, where an impressive drone show took place amid a dazzling display of colourful fireworks.
Fireworks and a light display took place over St Paul’s Cathedral and the Millennium Bridge to welcome in the New Year.
Sydney erupted at the stroke of midnight as Australia celebrated the start of 2022 with six tonnes of fireworks – making for a breath-taking extravaganza over the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
The event had fewer spectators than usual and most viewing areas were capped by the council and required tickets.
Hundreds of people have gathered in the North Korean capital Pyongyang to watch a fireworks display to welcome in the New Year.
Footage shows people wearing masks to watch the display near the Taedong River, which cuts through central Pyongyang.
Hong Kong earlier welcomed 2022 with a fireworks bonanza, which was given a dramatic backdrop by a live orchestra.
Around 3,000 revellers attended the New Year’s Eve concert starring local celebrities including boy band Mirror.
The concert was the first New Year’s Eve event held since 2018, after events were cancelled in 2019 due to political conflict and last year because of the pandemic.
Revellers in Tokyo were photographed ringing in the New Year this evening, as several countries around the world celebrated 2022 with impressive fireworks displays.
Thousands of people gathered at the Shibuya crossing at midnight, despite the annual countdown celebration having been cancelled due to COVID.
In South Korea’s capital, Seoul, the annual New Year’s Eve bell-ringing ceremony was cancelled for second year due to rising COVID cases.
A pre-recorded video of this year’s bell-ringing ceremony was instead broadcast online and on television, officials said.