Delhiites woke up to a dense fog layer on Friday as a cold wave gripped the national capital. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the minimum temperature in Delhi dipped to 7 degrees Celsius, with fog blanketing the city.
Residents in areas like Yamuna Bazar and New Delhi Railway Station sought refuge in night shelter homes to escape the harsh weather conditions.
Adding to the challenges, the city’s air quality remained in the ‘severe’ category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) measured 434 at 8 AM.
Severe AQI Levels Across Delhi
Several areas recorded alarming AQI levels:
- RK Puram: 453
- Rohini: 452
- Shadipur: 436
- Vivek Vihar: 451
The AQI scale categorizes air quality as follows:
- 0-50: Good
- 51-100: Satisfactory
- 101-200: Moderate
- 201-300: Poor
- 301-400: Very Poor
- 401-500: Severe
North India Experiences Cold Wave
The cold wave extended beyond Delhi, affecting much of North India. The IMD issued warnings of cold wave to severe cold wave conditions across Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Dense fog and ground frost were also forecasted for isolated areas.
“Today’s Weather Warning: Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions at a few places over Himachal Pradesh. Cold wave conditions at a few places over Punjab and isolated places over Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Dense fog at isolated places over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. Ground frost at isolated places over Himachal Pradesh,” the IMD stated.
Visibility and Weather Impact
On Thursday, Delhi experienced reduced visibility due to the cold wave, with the minimum temperature dropping to 7.4 degrees Celsius. Visibility was recorded at 250 meters at 8 AM.