Delhi experienced its coldest morning of the winter season, recording a minimum temperature of 3.5 degrees Celsius on Monday. Widespread fog added to the chilly conditions, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an orange alert for a cold wave on both today and tomorrow. The forecast indicates that moderate fog will persist until January 20.
Over the past three days, temperatures have hovered around 3 to 4 degrees Celsius, reaching 3.5 degrees on January 14, 3.6 degrees on Saturday, and 3.9 degrees on Friday. IMD data reveals that the minimum temperature in Delhi is currently four notches below the seasonal average, with a maximum temperature of 20.6 degrees Celsius.
The dense fog has impacted flight operations at Delhi Airport, leading to an advisory for passengers. The airport authorities urge travelers to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight information. The weather forecast predicts mainly clear skies with dense to very dense fog during the morning hours, maintaining cold wave conditions.
Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stands at 398, categorized as 'very poor' according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data at 6:00 am. In response to the deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) re-imposed restrictions under Stage III of the revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the National Capital Region (NCR) on January 14. These restrictions, initially lifted on January 1, include a ban on construction work and certain vehicle types, such as BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles in the city.
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