Delhi witnesses coldest night of season at 3 degrees Celsius
What's the story
While cold wave conditions continue to prevail over northwest India, Delhi on Thursday recorded the season's coldest morning.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Safdarjung weather station of the national capital recorded a minimum temperature of 3 degrees Celsius, which is four notches below the normal.
Meanwhile, Delhi's air remained 'very poor' despite showing slight improvement today morning.
Context
Why does this story matter?
A cold wave gripped the Indo-Gangetic plains in the final week of December, with Delhi reporting three degrees Celsius minimum temperature on Christmas Day.
However, Delhiites got a short respite on New Year's Day.
Meanwhile, very dense fog blocked the sun, triggering a low daytime temperature in the area and a deteriorating Air Quality Index (AQI).
Details
Minimum temperatures at different locations
The morning low temperature in Safdarjung was 3 degrees Celsius, while the season's low temperature in Lodhi Road was 2.8 degrees, per IMD bulletin.
It said Ayanagar, where temperatures are generally a few degrees lower, had a temperature drop of 2.2 degrees Celsius.
The Ridge was at 2.8 degrees Celsius, while the weather station at Ujwa recorded a minimum of 2.3 degrees Celsius.
Situation
Dense fog affects visibility in national capital
Low visibility pervaded Delhi as it was covered in thick fog.
According to an IMD report, around 5:30 am, Safdarjung had a 50-meter visibility level, compared to 25 meters in Palam.
Along with a continuation of dense fog nationwide or in isolated pockets over the following two days, the IMD has issued a cold wave advisory for Delhi for the next three days.
Fog
Rail traffic affected due to low visibility
According to ANI, which quoted the Northern Railway's chief public relations officer (CPRO), as many as 12 trains are running late and two have been rescheduled as a result of the fog in north India.
Airport administrations have also provided a fog update for travelers due to the cold weather but added that all flights are presently running normally.
Warning
Red warnings issued for Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh
IMD predicts that till Friday, areas of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh may experience coldwave or severe cold waves.
The lowest temperature in Delhi is expected to remain continuously below 4 degrees Celsius until Saturday.
Due to these circumstances, the IMD has issued a red warning for these areas on Wednesday and Thursday, which means "take action."
About
What is cold wave?
When the highest temperature is 4.5 degrees below average and the lowest temperature is 10 degrees Celsius or less, the day is considered cold.
If the lowest temperature drops below 4 degrees Celsius or is 10 degrees Celsius or lower and 4.5 notches below average, a cold wave is declared.
Furthermore, a 'very dense' fog is classified when the visibility dips below 50 meters.
AQI
Despite improvement Delhi's AQI still in 'very poor' category
The air quality in Delhi remained "very poor," but it did somewhat improve in the morning.
AQI was recorded at 339 (very bad) at 7:00 am, down from Wednesday's value of 343 (extremely poor).
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region (NCR) decided to revoke all measures under Stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after the improvement.