EBM News English
Leading News Portal in English

Delhi shivers as it records season’s lowest temperature, dense fog affects several flights

Other States
By Correspondent


As winter deepens its hold on the capital, Delhi woke up to its coldest morning of the season on Saturday, with temperatures dipping sharply and dense fog blanketing large parts of the city. The biting chill, combined with poor air quality, made for a harsh start to the day for residents across the national capital.

Delhi Records Coldest Morning of the Season

The minimum temperature in Delhi dropped to 4.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday, the lowest recorded so far this winter, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This reading stood 2.7 degrees below the seasonal average, underlining the intensity of the cold spell gripping the city.

In recent years, the coldest January morning was observed on January 15, 2024, when temperatures plunged further to 3.3 degrees Celsius, triggering cold wave conditions across Delhi.

Sharp Temperature Dip Across Weather Stations

Data from multiple weather stations highlighted how widespread the chill was. Safdarjung recorded a minimum of 4.2 degrees Celsius, while Palam and Ayanagar both logged 4.5 degrees. Lodhi Road saw temperatures fall to 4.7 degrees, and the Ridge area reported 5.3 degrees Celsius.

Just a day earlier, Friday had marked the second-coldest morning of the season with a low of 4.6 degrees Celsius. Earlier cold spells were recorded on December 4 and 5, when temperatures dipped to 5.6 degrees, and on December 1, which saw a minimum of 5.7 degrees, as reported by PTI.

Dense Fog Adds to Cold, Disrupts Flights

The cold conditions were compounded by dense fog, which the IMD had forecast for the day. Relative humidity levels touched 100% at 9 am, creating damp and misty conditions across the city.

Visibility dropped sharply in several areas as thick fog enveloped Delhi, leading to delays in flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Passengers faced disruptions as adverse weather conditions continued through the morning hours.

Smog and Poor Air Quality Worsen Conditions

Early morning visuals from different parts of the city showed Delhi shrouded in thick smog. Air quality remained a major concern, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) slipping into the “very poor” category. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI was recorded at 366.

Under CPCB standards, an AQI between 301 and 400 is classified as “very poor,” indicating serious health risks, especially for vulnerable groups.




You might also like More from author