Delhi Cold Wave: Delhi Braces for Four-Day Cold Wave Amid 'Very Poor' Air Quality

The national capital, Delhi, is currently grappling with a dual challenge of severe cold wave conditions and alarmingly high levels of air pollution. According to the latest forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a cold wave is expected to persist in the city for the next four days, while the air quality continues to be categorized as 'very poor'. This combination poses significant health risks and disruptions to daily life for the city's residents.

Cold Wave Alert Across Northern States

The India Meteorological Department has issued a cold wave alert for several northern states, including Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi, predicting these conditions to last until January 5th. Specifically for Delhi, some areas are expected to experience a cold wave between January 2nd and January 5th. The IMD defines a cold wave as a situation where the minimum temperature drops by 4. 5 to 6, while 5 degrees Celsius below the normal average temperature. Such conditions not only intensify the chill but also present. Serious health hazards, particularly for the homeless and vulnerable populations.

Delhi's Temperature Dynamics

On Thursday, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 17. 3 degrees Celsius, which is two degrees below the normal for this time of year, while the minimum temperature, however, was 10. 6 degrees Celsius, 3. 7 degrees above normal, while looking ahead, the IMD has forecasted partly cloudy skies, moderate fog, and dense fog in some areas during the morning hours. The maximum temperature is expected to range between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius,. While the minimum temperature is likely to hover between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius. This sustained cold, coupled with fog, is anticipated to continue impacting daily routines and outdoor activities.

Persistent Air Quality Concerns

Compounding the cold, Delhi's air quality remains a major concern, while according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) has consistently stayed in the 'very poor' category, with a 24-hour average of 380. Data from the CPCB's Sameer app revealed that 26 monitoring stations were in the 'very poor' category, and 11 were in the 'severe' category, with Anand Vihar recording the worst AQI at 423, indicating extremely hazardous levels. The Air Quality Early Warning System has predicted that the air quality will remain in the 'very poor' category until January 4th, with similar conditions expected for the subsequent six days, escalating health risks for residents.

Impact of Dense Fog on Visibility

Alongside the cold wave and pollution, dense fog continues to shroud the capital, severely affecting visibility. On Thursday, visibility was poor in many areas. Safdarjung recorded a minimum visibility of 500 meters from 10:30 PM on December 31st to 8:30 AM on January 1st, which improved slightly to 600 meters by 9 AM, while similarly, Palam recorded 500 meters of visibility from 9:30 PM on December 31st to 8 AM on January 1st, improving to 600 meters by 8:30 AM. This dense fog has led to disruptions in road and. Rail traffic, causing inconvenience and delays for commuters and travelers.

Across the Delhi-NCR region on Thursday, maximum temperatures at monitoring stations ranged between 14. 8 degrees Celsius and 17, while 3 degrees Celsius, which was below normal at most locations. Safdarjung recorded a maximum temperature of 17. 3 degrees Celsius, two degrees below normal, while Palam registered 15. 9 degrees Celsius, 2. 8 degrees below normal. Lodhi Road saw a maximum of 15. 8 degrees Celsius, Ridge 16. 6 degrees Celsius, and Ayanagar recorded the lowest maximum temperature at 14. 8 degrees Celsius.

Minimum temperatures across the region varied between 9 degrees Celsius and 10. 6 degrees Celsius. Safdarjung's minimum was 10. 6 degrees Celsius, Palam's 9 degrees, Lodhi Road's 10 degrees, Ridge's 9, while 9 degrees, and Ayanagar's 10. 3 degrees Celsius. According to the meteorological department, relative humidity was 97 percent in the morning and 87 percent in the evening on Thursday, contributing to the cold and foggy conditions.

A Record-Breaking December Day

Prior to these conditions, Wednesday marked the coldest December day in Delhi in the last six years. The maximum temperature plummeted to 14. 2 degrees Celsius, approximately 6. 2 degrees below normal. IMD data indicates that the last time the city experienced such a low maximum temperature was on December 31, 2019, when the day's highest temperature dropped to 9. 4 degrees Celsius. This highlights the severity of the current winter season and suggests that relief from the intense cold is unlikely in the immediate future.

Outlook and Public Health Advisory

The combination of a cold wave, dense fog, and 'very poor' air quality in Delhi and its surrounding areas presents a challenging scenario, while residents are advised to take adequate precautions to protect themselves from the cold, avoid unnecessary travel, and wear masks when outdoors due to the high levels of air pollution. Children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory ailments are particularly urged to exercise extra caution, while while authorities are taking necessary measures to address the situation, public awareness and adherence to safety guidelines will be crucial in mitigating the impact of these environmental challenges.