On Tuesday morning, Delhi grappled with severe cold as the minimum temperature plummeted to 3.3°C, marking the lowest of the winter season. The maximum temperature settled at 19.7 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for very dense fog, with the minimum temperature recorded four notches below the season’s average, as per IMD data.
The weather department forecasts a partly cloudy sky with dense to very dense fog in the morning hours today and tomorrow. Following this, moderate fog conditions with a clear sky are expected until January 21, along with the continuation of cold wave conditions until tomorrow.
A persistent thick layer of fog has enveloped the city for the past few days, with visibility recorded below 200 meters on Monday. The minimum temperature has consistently hovered around 3 to 4 degrees Celsius, with January 14 and 15 registering 3.5 degrees Celsius, Saturday at 3.6 degrees Celsius, and Friday at 3.9 degrees Celsius and the lowest at 3.3°C. This dense fog has caused delays in around 18 Delhi-bound trains on Monday, according to railway officials.
The Delhi airport issued an advisory for passengers, urging them to contact airlines before traveling due to severe fog conditions that resulted in significant flight delays. The airport authority, through a social media post, stated, “Due to dense fog, flight operations at Delhi Airport may be affected. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information.” They expressed regret for any inconvenience caused.
IndiGo Airlines also released an official statement acknowledging the impact of low visibility and dense fog on their flight operations on January 14, causing delays and cancellations. They assured passengers of continuous updates and efforts to facilitate travel, expressing sincere regret for any inconvenience caused.
As the city copes with the weather challenges, Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 341, categorized as ‘very poor’ at 6:00 am today. This is a slight improvement from the AQI of 398 recorded yesterday, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In response to deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on January 14 re-imposed restrictions under Stage III of the revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the National Capital Region (NCR). Additionally, the Delhi transport department has imposed a ban on construction work and certain vehicles to combat the severe air pollution.
