New Delhi [India]: The national capital woke up to inclement weather and a significant dip in temperature on Monday, accompanied by chilly winds. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Delhi recorded a temperature of 11.4 degrees Celsius at 5:30 am.
The IMD has forecasted a minimum temperature of 11 degrees Celsius for the day, with the maximum likely to hover around 18 degrees Celsius. A “generally cloudy sky with light rain” is also predicted for the city, adding to the prevailing cold wave conditions.
Amid the plummeting temperatures, many homeless individuals sought refuge in night shelters. A night shelter in Yamuna Bazar, near Kashmere Gate, and another near AIIMS were fully occupied. The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has set up 235 pagoda tents across the city to accommodate those in need. Night shelters have also been established in areas like Lodhi Road and Nizamuddin flyover.
In response to the chilly conditions, residents were seen gathering around bonfires, while others took refuge in night homes. Similar scenes were observed in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, where dense fog and dropping temperatures prompted people to turn to shelter homes.
The air quality in Delhi remained in the “very poor” category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 316 at 6:00 am, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). On Sunday, however, the AQI showed improvement, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to revoke Stage-III actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR.
GRAP Stage-III measures include bans on nonessential construction work and a shift to hybrid education modes for classes up to grade V. These measures were lifted due to favorable meteorological conditions and improved wind speed. The CAQM noted a downward trend in AQI levels, which dropped to 339 at 4:00 pm and further to 335 at 5:00 pm on Sunday. The forecast predicts that the AQI will remain in the “poor” category in the coming days.
The GRAP is a set of emergency measures designed to combat air pollution in Delhi-NCR based on the severity of the AQI. While Stage-III measures have been lifted, Stage-I and Stage-II restrictions remain in effect.
As Delhi battles cold weather and air quality challenges, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents.