Residents of the national capital are grappling with an intense cold wave, as temperatures plunged to a bone-chilling low on Sunday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has responded by issuing a two-day orange alert, warning of severe conditions across the city.
Record-Breaking Chill Grips the Capital
The severity of the cold snap was highlighted when the Ayanagar weather station recorded a minimum temperature of just 2.9 degrees Celsius. This is significantly below the normal range for this time of year. The cold was widespread, with the Ridge area registering 3.7°C. Notably, the Palam observatory saw its lowest minimum temperature in several years, underscoring the intensity of this weather event.
IMD's Forecast and Warnings
The Meteorological Department has predicted that the cold wave and dense fog conditions will persist. Their forecast for Monday stated: “Mainly clear sky. Cold wave conditions at a few places. Shallow to Moderate fog during morning hours.” They specified that the maximum and minimum temperatures in Delhi are likely to range between 18°C to 20°C and 2°C to 4°C, respectively.
In its detailed alert, the IMD warned that minimum temperatures are expected to be 3.1 to 5.0 degrees Celsius below normal at isolated places. Furthermore, maximum temperatures are also predicted to remain below normal, ranging from -1.6°C to -3.0°C over Delhi.
Immediate Precautions and Localised Alerts
Adding to the orange alert, the weather office also issued a nowcast warning valid till 11:23 AM on Monday. This yellow alert specifically warns of "Moderate Fog very likely over parts of Central Delhi, South Delhi, New Delhi, South West Delhi, West Delhi, North West Delhi, North Delhi."
The combination of severe cold wave conditions and reduced visibility due to fog is disrupting daily life. Authorities advise citizens, especially the elderly and children, to take necessary precautions, wear warm clothing, and avoid early morning exposure. The IMD's alerts indicate that the national capital must brace for a few more days of this intense winter spell.
