New Delhi: A biting cold tightened its grip on the national capital as Delhi experienced cold wave conditions for the second consecutive day, with temperatures dipping further on Monday. The day also marked the coldest January day in the city since 2023, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which has forecast similar weather conditions for Tuesday.
The maximum temperature in Delhi was recorded at 20.6 degrees Celsius, marginally 0.7 degrees above normal, while the minimum temperature dropped sharply to 3.2 degrees Celsius, plunging 4.2 degrees below the seasonal average. In comparison, the city had recorded a minimum temperature of 1.4 degrees Celsius on January 11, 2023, IMD data showed.
Day Temperatures Stay Below Normal
Station-wise data revealed that maximum temperatures across Delhi remained below normal amid prevailing cold wave conditions. The Safdarjung Observatory, the city’s principal weather station, recorded a maximum temperature of 18.8 degrees Celsius, which was 1.1 degrees below normal.
At Palam, the maximum temperature dropped to 15.4 degrees Celsius, a significant 4.3 degrees below the seasonal average. Lodhi Road and Ridge both logged maximum temperatures of 18.8 degrees Celsius, which were 2.2 degrees and 0.1 degree below normal, respectively. Ayanagar recorded a maximum of 18.1 degrees Celsius, 1.1 degrees below normal, the IMD said.
Night Chill Intensifies Across the City
Minimum temperatures dipped sharply across all monitoring stations, reflecting the intensity of the cold wave. Safdarjung recorded a minimum of 3.2 degrees Celsius, 4.2 degrees below normal.
Palam reported a minimum temperature of 3.3 degrees Celsius, nearly four degrees below average, while Lodhi Road logged 3.0 degrees Celsius, three degrees below normal. The Ridge area recorded a minimum of 4.2 degrees Celsius, 3.9 degrees below normal, and Ayanagar saw temperatures dip to 3.2 degrees Celsius, also 3.9 degrees below the seasonal average, according to IMD data.
On Sunday, Safdarjung had recorded a minimum temperature of 4.8 degrees Celsius, 2.6 degrees below normal, while the maximum settled at 18.8 degrees Celsius, 1.1 degrees below average.
An IMD official said intense cold wave conditions were observed at isolated places on Sunday as well, with Palam, Ridge and Ayanagar reporting minimum temperatures below 4 degrees Celsius. This marked the first instance of cold wave conditions in Delhi during the ongoing winter season, the official added.
Weather Outlook: Foggy Mornings to Continue
The IMD has forecast mainly clear skies over Delhi, with moderate fog at many places and dense fog at isolated locations during morning hours. Cold wave conditions are expected to prevail at a few places across the city.
For Tuesday, the minimum and maximum temperatures are likely to hover around 4 degrees Celsius and 20 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Air Quality Remains Poor to Very Poor
Alongside the cold, Delhi’s air quality continued to remain poor. The city’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 297, placing it in the ‘poor’ category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
In the evening, 21 monitoring stations recorded ‘very poor’ air quality, while 17 stations remained in the ‘poor’ category. Anand Vihar reported the worst air quality in the evening with an AQI of 343.
As per CPCB standards, an AQI between 201 and 300 is classified as poor, 301 to 400 as very poor, and 401 to 500 as severe.
Pollution Sources and Regional Contribution
Data from the Decision Support System (DSS) showed that transport emissions contributed 13.7 per cent to Delhi’s air pollution, while industries in Delhi and surrounding areas accounted for 11.6 per cent. Waste burning contributed 1.2 per cent, construction activities 1.7 per cent, and residential sources 3.4 per cent.
Among the National Capital Region (NCR) districts, Jhajjar emerged as the highest contributor at 21.7 per cent, followed by Bhiwani (6.2 per cent), Rohtak (3.7 per cent), Gurugram (2.0 per cent) and Sonipat (1.6 per cent).
According to the Air Quality and Weather Services (AQWS), Delhi’s air quality is expected to remain in the ‘very poor’ category from January 13 to January 15, with the outlook for the following six days also indicating persistently very poor air quality. Nearly 20 monitoring stations recorded ‘very poor’ air quality, while the remaining stations stayed in the ‘poor’ category, with Nehru Nagar logging the worst AQI at 344.