The national capital continues to reel under intense winter conditions, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD)flagging cold wave to severe cold wave conditions and dense fog risks across parts of northwest India, including the Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi subdivision. The IMD’s Weather Warning for Northwest India, indicates dense to very dense fog and cold wave to severe cold wave conditions over the region in the near term, with conditions expected to remain significant through January 14 and 15.
IMD warning: cold wave spell continues, fog remains a key risk
In the IMD warning chart, the Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi subdivision is marked for dense to very dense fog and cold wave to severe cold wave conditions January 14. For January 15, the chart flags dense fog and cold wave conditions at isolated places. While the cold wave severity shows signs of easing after that, the chart continues to indicate dense fog at isolated places beyond the peak spell, suggesting low visibility could still affect early-morning travel.
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Temperatures dip: Safdarjung 3.8°C; other stations also below normal
Delhi recorded sharp minimum temperatures on Wednesday. Safdarjung, the city’s primary observatory, recorded a minimum of 3.8 degrees Celsius, which IMD said was 3.6 notches below normal, according to PTI. PTI also reported minimum temperatures of 4.4°C at Palam, 3.6°C at Lodhi Road, 4.6°C at the Ridge, and 4°C at Ayanagar, all below normal. PTI added that IMD declares cold wave conditions when minimum temperatures fall 4.5 to 6.4 degrees below normal.
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Air quality stays ‘very poor’ as winter conditions persist
Along with the cold, Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category. PTI reported that the AQI was 354, citing Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, with 33 monitoring stations in “very poor”, four in “severe” and two in “poor”. Jahangirpuri recorded the worst AQI at 420, falling in the “severe” category.
The listed area-level readings including Anand Vihar (366), Bawana (361), Jahangirpuri (420), RK Puram (407), Dwarka Sector 8 (403), Wazirpur (386) and Chandni Chowk (397). ANI also said the AQI had worsened compared to Tuesday, when it stood at 337. |
