New Delhi, Jan 14 (.) A harsh cold wave and a sudden spell of dense fog severely disrupted normal life in the national capital and its surrounding areas on Wednesday.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature in Delhi rose marginally to 3.8°C, though the intense cold wave persists.
The morning saw a thick blanket of fog envelop the Delhi-NCR region, which has begun to clear gradually. Pictures of severely reduced visibility from various parts of the city surfaced. The Delhi Airport issued an advisory for low visibility, advising passengers to contact their airlines for flight updates, although flight operations remained normal.
The IMD stated that a cold wave continued for the third consecutive day in the National Capital Region, accompanied by dense morning fog. The weather agency has forecast the cold conditions to persist, with minimum temperatures expected to remain significantly below normal in Delhi and adjoining areas. Foggy conditions are likely to prevail during the night and morning hours, while the day is expected to be mainly clear.
Simultaneously, air quality deteriorated, remaining in the ‘Very Poor’ category with an average AQI around 360. Several monitoring stations recorded ‘Severe’ air quality, with AQI levels reaching close to 400 in some locations. An AQI between 301 and 400 is classified as ‘Very Poor’, and 401 to 500 as ‘Severe’.
Meanwhile, air quality deteriorated sharply, remaining in the ‘very poor’ category, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) hovering around 360.
Several monitoring stations recorded ‘Severe’ air quality, with AQI levels approaching 400 in some locations. An AQI between 301 and 400 is classified as ‘Very Poor,’ while levels between 401 and 500 fall under the ‘Severe’ category.
IMD data indicated a frigid morning accompanied by very poor air quality in Delhi. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded an overall AQI of 357 at 7 am, placing it in the ‘Very Poor’ category, while temperatures hovered between 3°C and 4°C amid dense fog and the ongoing cold wave.
According to CPCB data, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 366 at 7 am, while Bawana stood at 361. Jahangirpuri reported particularly alarming levels, with the AQI touching 420, placing it in the ‘Severe’ category. RK Puram recorded an AQI of 407, Dwarka Sector 8 at 403, Punjabi Bagh at 366, Wazirpur at 386, and Chandni Chowk at 397.
. ATK PPP .
