Delhi woke up to a blanket of dense fog on Wednesday, as a cold wave gripped the city, bringing a sharp drop in temperatures and chilly winds, which led to reduced visibility. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts that the minimum temperature will plunge to 8°C, while the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 16°C, accompanied by very dense fog.
This drop in temperature has caused a surge in the number of homeless individuals seeking shelter in night shelters across the capital. Visuals from Sarai Kale Khan, Ram Leela Maidan, and Nigam Bodh Ghat areas showed large crowds at night shelters, with many beds already occupied. In response to the cold wave, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has set up 235 pagoda tents to provide refuge to the homeless in various parts of the city, including AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and Nizamuddin flyover.
To combat the chill, residents of Delhi were seen gathering around bonfires as the temperatures continued to drop. The minimum temperature on Tuesday was recorded at 10.5°C, according to Met Department data.
In neighboring Uttar Pradesh, people in Ayodhya also sought refuge in night shelters as temperatures dipped further.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 326 at 6 am on Wednesday, categorised as ‘very poor’ by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The city has been grappling with an AQI in the ‘very poor’ category for several days. AQI levels between 301 and 400 are considered ‘very poor,’ with levels above 400 considered ‘severe’.
On Sunday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked Stage-III actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) following an improvement in air quality. However, Stage-I and Stage-II measures remain in place.
The dense fog, biting cold winds, and falling temperatures are expected to persist over the next few days. Authorities have advised residents to stay warm and limit outdoor activities, particularly during the early morning and evening hours.