Delhi shivers as cold wave tightens grip, low visibility disrupts flights and trains

As the cold wave continues to assert its presence in Delhi, residents in the national capital woke up to a chilly morning on Wednesday, with the minimum temperature dropping to 7.3 degrees Celsius—the seasonal average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD forecasts shallow fog, and the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 18 degrees Celsius.

On Wednesday, Palam experienced the lowest visibility at 500 meters at 7:30 a.m. However, visibility at Palam improved to 700 meters around 9 a.m., while Safdarjung recorded 500 meters. The IMD categorizes fog intensity into four types: shallow, moderate, dense, and very dense, with visibility ranging from 999 meters to less than 50 meters, respectively.

The minimum temperature recorded in Delhi on Wednesday was 9 degrees Celsius, and the maximum temperature is expected to reach around 20 degrees Celsius, according to the IMD. The Met Department predicts extreme cold in the next few days, with the minimum temperature dropping to 7 degrees Celsius on January 3.

The morning brought challenges for travelers as dense fog covered the Indira Gandhi International Airport, leading to delayed flights. The Indian Railways reported at least 26 trains running behind schedule by hours due to the prevailing fog.

In response to multiple accidents attributed to the thick fog, the Uttar Pradesh transport commissioner issued strict instructions, banning children below 18 years of age from driving. Violations could result in vehicle owners being imprisoned for three years and fined Rs 25,000.

The air quality in Delhi continued to remain under the 'very poor' category at various stations across the city. The Central Pollution Control Board reported PM2.5 levels at 301 in the Anand Vihar area, categorized as 'very poor,' and PM10 at 166, categorized as 'moderate.'

The Air Quality Index (AQI) at the Indira Gandhi International Airport T3 was 328 at 9 a.m., falling under the 'very poor' category, with PM2.5 levels at 321 and PM10 at 221. December 2023 marked the national capital's warmest month in six years, with the city not recording a single 'cold wave day' during the month, as reported by the India Meteorological Department.

With inputs from agencies