Wednesday morning, Delhi witnessed a thick blanket of fog, the temperature dropped to 8°C. A cold wave swept through the city causing the reduced visibility because of chilly winds. Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), forecasted the minimum temperature to 8°C, whereas maximum to 16°C while adding the remarks of dense fog in the city.
Therefore, the frigidity of the weather has forced homeless people to seek shelter in the night shelters in and around the city. Video clips of Sarai Kale Khan, Ram Leela Maidan and Nigam Bodh Ghat disclosed that all beds are occupied as alot of people have taken refuge in it.
DUSIB, Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board has already set up around 235 pagoda tents for the more accommodation of the people. Night shelters have been arranged in the major locations as AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and Nizamuddin flyover; as these places have more footfall.
To cope with chills, residents gather around bonfires as the temperature continues to dip. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature in Delhi on Tuesday was 10.5°C.
In Uttar Pradesh, people in Ayodhya, also sought refuge in night shelters as temperatures dipped. Meanwhile, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 326 at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, categorized as 'very poor' by the Central Pollution Control Board. The city's AQI has remained in the 'very poor' category for several days.
The AQI is measured as follows: 0–50 (good), 51–100 (satisfactory), 101–200 (moderate), 201–300 (poor), 301–400 (very poor), and 401–500 (severe). On Sunday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) lifted Stage-III actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) due to an improvement in air quality, though Stage-I and Stage-II measures remain in effect.
The dense fog, chilly winds, and low temperatures are expected to persist for the coming days, and residents are advised to stay warm and limit outdoor activities, particularly during early mornings and evenings.