The air quality, already a concern, worsened further. According to the Pollution Control Board, Delhi’s AQI was recorded at 348 at 6 a.m., placing it in the ‘very poor’ category.
NEW DELHI — Dense fog blanketed the national capital on Friday morning, as the city grappled with a cold wave.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the temperature in Delhi dropped to 9.6 degrees Celsius at 5:30 a.m.
The air quality, already a concern, worsened further. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 348 at 6 a.m., placing it in the ‘very poor’ category.
An AQI between 301 and 400 is classified as ‘very poor,’ while levels between 401 and 500 are deemed ‘severe.’
With temperatures plunging, the city’s homeless population has increasingly sought refuge in night shelters. The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has established 235 pagoda tents to accommodate the homeless. Night shelters have been set up at various locations, including AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and under the Nizamuddin flyover.
Residents braved the cold around bonfires, while others took shelter in these facilities to escape the biting cold.
Dense fog disrupts Delhi flight operation
More than 100 flights were delayed at the Delhi airport on Friday morning due to bad weather conditions, an official said.
The national capital witnessed dense fog resulting in low visibility.
The official said over 100 flights have been delayed but there are no diversions so far.
“While landing and takeoffs continue at Delhi Airport, flights that are not CAT III compliant may get affected. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information.Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted,” Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) said in a post on X at 6.35 am.
CAT III facility allows aircraft to operate in low visibility conditions.
The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), operated by DIAL, handles around 1,300 flight movements daily.
Cold wave conditions persisted across North India, with temperatures dipping significantly.
In Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, the mercury fell to 8 degrees Celsius at 3:30 a.m. The local administration has set up temporary shelters for the homeless, with people in Aligarh seen taking refuge in these facilities.
In Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar recorded a low of -1.3 degrees Celsius at 5:30 a.m.
Commuters step out on a cold foggy morning in New Delhi on Friday. — EPS
Airline carrier IndiGo issued a travel advisory on Thursday, cautioning passengers about potential flight delays due to snowfall in the region.
“We wish the snowfall could take a brief pause, allowing us to ensure smooth travels for you once again. Stay warm and stay informed,” the airline stated.
Rajasthan also experienced chilly conditions, with Jaipur registering 10.2 degrees Celsius at 5:30 a.m.
Train services disrupted
Dense fog enveloped various parts of Delhi-NCR, bringing visibility down and thereby impacting train operations too.
At least 24 trains departing from Delhi were delayed due to weather-related conditions. Among the affected trains, the Ayodhya Express was delayed by four hours, the Gorakhdham Express was running more than two hours late, and the Bihar Kranti Express and the Shram Shakti Express were delayed by over three hours.
As per the past 24-hour data of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi is expected to witness fog till January 8, with light rain likely on January 6. The Delhi-NCR woke up to a thick blanket of fog on Friday, with temperatures dropping to a minimum of 8 degrees Celsius. The maximum and minimum temperatures are forecasted to be 17 degrees Celsius and 8 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Visibility conditions worsened significantly at 6 a.m., leading authorities to take action to ensure safety. Flights that lack the necessary equipment for low-visibility landings, especially those not adhering to CAT III standards, are expected to experience delays or cancellations.
The Safdarjung weather station considered the benchmark for Delhi’s climate, recorded a maximum temperature of 16.2 degrees Celsius earlier on Thursday, slightly up from 15 degrees Celsius the previous day but still three degrees below the normal mark.
According to the IMD, “cold day” conditions are declared when the maximum temperature is 4.5 degrees or more below normal, provided the minimum temperature is below 10 degrees. While Safdarjung didn’t meet the criteria, the Palam, Najafgarh, Pusa, and Narela weather stations reported “cold day” conditions.
Relief, however, appears to be on the horizon as the IMD predicts a slight increase in temperatures over the coming days due to the influence of a fresh western disturbance. The maximum temperature in Delhi is expected to hover around 17 degrees on Friday and rise to 18 degrees Celsius by Saturday. “A marginal increase of about one degree in maximum temperatures is anticipated across most parts of the region,” an IMD official noted. — Agencies
