Delhi Faces Cold Wave, Low Temperatures, And Poor Air Quality

• Temperature Drop: Delhi experienced a sharp decline in temperature on Thursday morning, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) recording 6.4°C at 5:30 am.
• Forecasted Temperatures: The IMD predicted a minimum temperature of 5°C for the day, with a maximum temperature expected to be around 21°C.
• Cold Wave Impact: The temperature was significantly lower than the previous days, with early morning temperatures ranging between 8°C to 11°C.
• Dense Fog: The city was expected to experience dense fog on Thursday, although there were contrasting visuals from different parts of Delhi, indicating variation in fog intensity.

Shelter for Homeless People:

• Night Shelters Opened: As temperatures dropped, many homeless individuals sought shelter in night shelters across Delhi. One notable shelter on Lodhi Road had all its beds occupied.
• Additional Shelters: The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) set up 235 pagoda tents for the homeless, with shelters also established in areas like AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and near the Nizamuddin flyover.

Air Quality Situation:

• Poor Air Quality: Delhi’s air quality worsened, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 299 at 7 am, categorized as poor.
  • AQI Ranges: The AQI is classified as:
    • 0-50: Good
    • 51-100: Satisfactory
    • 101-200: Moderate
    • 201-300: Poor
    • 301-400: Very Poor
    • 401-500: Severe
• Recent Improvements: Despite the poor AQI on Thursday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had revoked Stage-III actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Sunday due to a significant improvement in air quality.
  • Stage I and II Measures: Stage I and Stage II measures will remain in effect as part of the ongoing efforts to improve air quality in Delhi-NCR.

Conclusion:

Delhi is grappling with both cold wave conditions and poor air quality, which has led to increased shelter demand and a continuing focus on air pollution management. The authorities are working to provide relief through shelter arrangements for the homeless while closely monitoring air quality levels.