The national capital is in the grip of a severe cold wave, with conditions intensifying after light rainfall on Friday morning. The early morning showers added to the winter misery, deepening the chill across Delhi and its surrounding regions.
Temperature Dips, Humidity Peaks
According to data from the Early Warning System for Delhi, the city recorded a minimum temperature of 5 degrees Celsius alongside 100 per cent humidity. This combination has made the cold feel particularly biting. The chill has shown a consistent pattern, with Thursday recording a slightly higher but still severe low of 5.8 degrees Celsius.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has responded to the plunging mercury by placing Delhi under a "yellow alert". This advisory is issued due to the prevailing colder-than-normal conditions, warning residents of the ongoing severe weather.
Widespread Fog and Dense Smog
Visuals from areas like Mayur Vihar depicted a city shrouded in a thick layer of smog and fog. The foggy conditions were not isolated to Delhi alone. Dense to very dense fog was reported across neighboring regions, including parts of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab, disrupting life and visibility.
Forecast: More Chill Ahead
The respite from the cold is not coming soon. The IMD forecast indicates that the intense chill is likely to persist and may even worsen over the next few days as the cold wave in North India continues to strengthen.
The weather office predicts that the minimum temperature in Delhi will hover around 5 degrees Celsius until at least Monday, January 12. Furthermore, the maximum temperature is also expected to drop, likely settling around 15 degrees Celsius.
IMD data reveals that over the past 24 hours, Delhi witnessed a fall in the minimum temperature by 2-3 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature saw a marginal rise of 1-2 degrees. The city's temperatures have largely been below normal, with minimums ranging from -1.6 to -3.0 degrees Celsius below average at isolated places.
Air Quality Remains a Concern
Compounding the weather woes, Delhi's air quality continues to languish in the "very poor" category. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 321. The IMD has stated that the air quality is likely to remain in the "poor" category until at least January 11, posing additional health risks for citizens already battling the cold.
Residents are advised to take necessary precautions against the severe cold, limit outdoor exposure during early morning and late evening hours, and follow updates from the meteorological department.
