Delhi Gripped by Intense Cold Wave and Dense Fog
Delhi residents faced another frigid morning on Saturday as the capital city woke up to dense fog and plummeting temperatures. The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for cold wave conditions and dense fog across the region.
Mercury Plummets to 4.3 Degrees Celsius
The minimum temperature dropped sharply to 4.3 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung on Friday. This marks the sixth consecutive day of cold wave conditions persisting in Delhi. Other areas recorded similarly low readings with Ayanagar matching Safdarjung's temperature, while Palam and Lodhi Road both registered 4.7 degrees Celsius.
IMD forecasts indicate some relief in coming days. The weather department predicts a rise in minimum temperatures by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over the next five days. Saturday's weather outlook suggests partly cloudy skies with moderate fog at many places and dense fog at isolated locations during morning hours.
Maximum temperatures are expected to range between 21°C to 23°C, while minimum temperatures should stay between 06°C to 08°C. On January 17th, minimum temperatures are likely to remain near normal levels, but maximum temperatures could be above normal by approximately 1.6 to 3.0 degrees Celsius.
Flight Operations Disrupted by Poor Visibility
The dense fog severely impacted air travel at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. Visibility dropped to just 350 meters at 6:30 AM, forcing airport authorities to implement low visibility procedures. Multiple flights experienced delays as operations continued under CAT III conditions.
Delhi Airport issued a travel advisory at 6:00 AM, confirming that low visibility procedures remained in effect. The poor visibility affected both arriving and departing flights, causing significant disruptions to travel schedules.
Passengers faced uncertainty as airport staff worked to manage operations under challenging weather conditions. The dense fog blanket created hazardous conditions for aircraft movements throughout the morning hours.
Residents Battle Chilly Conditions
Delhi-NCR continues to reel under the intense chill that has gripped the region. Morning commuters encountered reduced visibility on roads, while the biting cold made outdoor activities uncomfortable. The persistent cold wave has prompted authorities to advise residents to take necessary precautions against the harsh weather.
Weather experts note that such conditions are typical for this time of year, though the extended cold spell has been particularly severe. The combination of low temperatures and dense fog creates challenging conditions for both transportation and daily life in the capital city.
As Delhi navigates these weather challenges, residents remain hopeful for the predicted temperature rise in coming days. The weather department continues to monitor conditions closely, providing regular updates to help people plan their activities accordingly.
