Residents of the national capital woke up to a severe chill on Saturday, marking the coldest morning of the ongoing winter season. The mercury plunged to a low of 4.2 degrees Celsius at the Safdarjung Observatory, making it Delhi's coldest January day in three years.
IMD Issues Cold Wave and Fog Alert
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a yellow alert for the city, forecasting moderate to dense fog and cold wave conditions on Sunday and Monday. A cold wave is officially declared when the minimum temperature dips 4.5 to 6.4 degrees below the normal range for the region. The maximum temperature on Saturday also stayed below normal, settling at 19.7 degrees Celsius.
The intense cold gripped the entire city, with readings from other weather stations confirming the widespread drop:
- Palam: Min 4.5°C, Max 17.2°C
- Lodi Road: Min 4.7°C, Max 18.8°C
- The Ridge: Min 5.3°C, Max 17.9°C
- Ayanagar: Min 4.5°C, Max 19.0°C
This cold spell broke the record for the season, with the previous lowest temperature this winter being 4.6°C recorded just a day earlier on Friday. The last time Delhi experienced a colder January day was on January 15, 2024, when the minimum temperature had fallen to 3.3 degrees Celsius.
Air Quality Worsens to 'Very Poor' Levels
Compounding the discomfort, Delhi's air quality deteriorated sharply alongside the falling temperatures. By 4 pm on Saturday, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 346, solidly in the 'very poor' category. The situation was particularly dire in Chandni Chowk, where the AQI touched 395, nearing the 'severe' category.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) Sameer app revealed that 27 monitoring stations reported 'very poor' air, while 11 showed 'poor' quality. Analysis pointed to multiple contributors, with transport emissions and industries in Delhi and its periphery being significant sources. The forecast suggests air quality is likely to remain in the 'very poor' category at least until January 13, as cold and calm conditions trap pollutants close to the ground.
With the IMD predicting a further intensification of the cold wave, Delhiites are bracing for a challenging few days ahead, battling both the biting chill and hazardous air.
