Delhi experienced a sharp drop in temperature on Thursday, as cold wave conditions intensified, bringing the minimum temperature to 6.4°C at 5:30 am, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The city is currently battling a combination of icy temperatures, dense fog, and deteriorating air quality.
The IMD has forecasted that the minimum temperature for the day will dip further to 5°C, with the maximum temperature expected to hover around 21°C. This is a noticeable drop from the temperatures in the past few days, which had ranged between 8°C and 11°C at around 5:30 am.
In addition to the chilly conditions, the city is grappling with a thick blanket of fog. The IMD had predicted dense fog for the day, though visuals from various parts of the city revealed that the fog was not uniform in its coverage.
The cold wave has left many homeless individuals seeking refuge in night shelters across Delhi. Shelters, such as those on Lodhi Road, reported full occupancy, with every bed taken by individuals trying to escape the freezing temperatures. The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has set up 235 pagoda tents in various locations to provide shelter, including AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and Nizamuddin flyover.
Along with the plunging temperatures, Delhi’s air quality has worsened slightly, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 299 at 7 am, categorizing the air as “poor.” The AQI scale ranges from zero to 50, which is considered ‘good,’ to 401-500, which is deemed ‘severe.’ The current AQI falls under the ‘poor’ category, indicating that prolonged exposure may cause respiratory issues for people with pre-existing conditions.
Despite the poor air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) decided to revoke Stage-III actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi-NCR on Sunday, following a significant improvement in the AQI. However, Stage-I and Stage-II measures will remain in effect to mitigate the ongoing air pollution.
As Delhi endures these harsh weather conditions, the authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with health advisories in place for residents to protect themselves from the cold and poor air quality.
Sources By Agencies
