Delhi woke up to dense fog on Wednesday, as a cold wave swept through the city. This brought a sharp drop in temperatures and chilly winds, which resulted in poor visibility.
Weather Forecast
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature is expected to drop to 8°C, while the maximum will remain around 16°C. Additionally, “very dense fog” is anticipated throughout the day.
Homeless Seek Shelter
As a result of the cold weather, many homeless people sought shelter in night homes across the city. In areas like Sarai Kale Khan, Ram Leela Maidan, and Nigam Bodh Ghat, all the beds in these shelters were occupied. To provide additional support, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) set up 235 pagoda tents. Furthermore, night shelters have been established in areas such as AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and Nizamuddin flyover.
Residents Gather Around Bonfires
To cope with the dropping temperatures, residents were seen gathering around bonfires. According to the IMD, the minimum temperature on Tuesday was recorded at 10.5°C.
Air Quality
Meanwhile, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 326 at 6 am on Wednesday, which is categorized as “very poor” by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In fact, Delhi’s AQI has been in the “very poor” category for several days. The AQI is classified as follows: 0-50 (good), 51-100 (satisfactory), 101-200 (moderate), 201-300 (poor), 301-400 (very poor), and 401-500 (severe).
Air Quality Measures
On Sunday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked Stage-III actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) due to an improvement in air quality. However, Stage-I and Stage-II measures are still in effect.
Weather Outlook
Looking ahead, the dense fog, chilly winds, and low temperatures are expected to persist over the next few days. Therefore, residents are advised to stay warm and minimize outdoor activities, particularly during the early morning and evening hours.
