Delhi is enduring a coldwave for the second consecutive day as the minimum temperature dropped further, reaching 4.5°C at Safdarjung, the city’s weather station, on Monday. This is the joint lowest temperature recorded this season, matching the low of 4.5°C observed on December 12. The temperature is four degrees below the normal for this time of year, prompting a sharp chill across the national capital.
In addition to the biting cold, the capital also experienced shallow fog with a minimum visibility of about 800 meters. This combination of cold and poor visibility resulted in an increase in the Air Quality Index (AQI), which plummeted to the ‘very poor’ category. At 9 AM on Monday, the AQI stood at 351, compared to 294 the previous evening. This marks the second day this month that Delhi’s air quality has fallen into the ‘very poor’ range, with the worst AQI recorded in November at 412.
Meteorologists have attributed the poor air quality to a reduction in wind speed. With winds slowing down to less than 5 km/h, the pollution is not dispersing as it usually would. A weak western disturbance is impacting northwest India, further contributing to the stagnant air conditions. Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet, indicated that these weather conditions could keep the AQI in the ‘very poor’ range for the coming days.
As the coldwave continues, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts that the minimum temperature at Safdarjung could remain around 5°C on Tuesday. Other areas in Delhi also reported low temperatures, with Pusa in west Delhi recording a minimum of 3.5°C and Ayanagar at 4°C, both under coldwave conditions.
The IMD defines a coldwave as a condition where the minimum temperature is below 10°C, with a departure of 4.5°C or more below normal, or when the temperature falls below 4°C. With chilly weather persisting, residents of Delhi are advised to take precautions, especially those with respiratory conditions, as the ‘very poor’ AQI poses significant health risks.
Sources By Agencies
