Delhi experienced another cold morning on Sunday as cold wave conditions continued to affect large parts of north India. The minimum temperature in the national capital dropped to 4.8 degrees Celsius, while moderate fog and a thin layer of smog reduced visibility in several areas, according to the India Meteorological Department. Despite the cold conditions, Delhi’s overall air quality showed improvement and moved into the ‘poor’ category. In view of foggy conditions, the Indira Gandhi International Airport issued an advisory for passengers.
The city had recorded its coldest morning of the season a day earlier on Saturday, when the minimum temperature fell to 4.2 degrees Celsius, which was 2.7 degrees Celsius below normal. While temperatures dipped sharply, air quality worsened on Saturday, with the air quality index touching 346, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer application.
On Sunday, Safdarjung, Delhi’s base weather station, logged a minimum temperature of 4.8 degrees Celsius. Several parts of the city were colder than the average, prompting the IMD to declare cold wave conditions at isolated locations. Ayanagar recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 2.9 degrees Celsius, followed by Palam at 3 degrees Celsius and the Ridge area at 3.7 degrees Celsius.
The Regional Meteorological Centre said skies are expected to remain mostly clear during the day, though cold wave conditions may persist in isolated pockets. Moderate fog is also likely during morning hours. Weather officials added that cold wave conditions are expected to continue across parts of north and northwest India, including the Delhi-NCR region, over the next few days.
Delhi’s air quality improved on Sunday, with the overall AQI recorded at 290 as of 10:05 am, placing it in the ‘poor’ category. However, several locations in the city continued to witness ‘very poor’ air quality levels. Nehru Nagar recorded an AQI of 348, followed by Anand Vihar at 338, Jahangirpuri at 337 and Pusa at 335.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport issued an advisory for passengers due to low visibility conditions caused by fog. The airport clarified that Low Visibility Procedures were in progress, but all flight operations were currently normal. Passengers were advised to stay in touch with their respective airlines for the latest updates on their flights.