Delhi-NCR Faces Severe Cold Wave, Dense Fog Reduces Visibility

Dense fog and cold continue to prevail in Delhi-NCR. The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert. There will be a yellow alert on December 30 and 31. On December 31, the minimum temperature may drop to 5 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature is expected to be 10.3 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature is expected to be 9 degrees Celsius. Amid inclement weather conditions, a blanket of fog engulfed several areas of the national capital on Monday, reducing visibility.

Cold Wave Sweeps Delhi

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature in Safdarjung was recorded at 10.3 degrees Celsius at 8.30 am today, while it was 8.6 degrees Celsius in Palam. The Meteorological Department has forecast that the minimum temperature may fall around 9 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature is expected to be around 18 degrees Celsius and there is a possibility of "dense fog" in the city on Monday.

Safdarjung Temperature Rises to 10.3°C

The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has set up 235 pagoda tents to provide shelter to homeless people. Night shelters have been set up in several areas of the national capital, including AIIMS, Lodhi Road and Nizamuddin flyover. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the overall air quality index (AQI) in the national capital at 8 am stood at 179, which falls in the moderate category. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

Cold has Intensified in other states

Meanwhile, pictures have also emerged from other parts of the country. In Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, people spent the night in shelter homes as the minimum temperature dropped by 12 degrees Celsius. A thick blanket of fog engulfed some parts of Ayodhya city. According to the IMD, the minimum temperature dropped to 9 degrees Celsius. A thick layer of fog engulfed Jalandhar as a cold wave continued to sweep Punjab even as people resumed their daily chores. On Sunday, the IMD has forecast a gradual drop in temperatures over the next few days over parts of northwest and central India, including Delhi.