Delhi wakes up to coldest morning of season, temperature dips to 4.9 degrees
Delhi woke up to a cold morning on Wednesday with the minimum temperature recorded at 4.9 degrees Celsius, dropping 5 degrees below normal for the first time this winter season.
In the last 24 hours, the temperature dipped by at least 3 degrees.
While Safdarjang, the city’s main weather station, recorded 4.9 degrees Celsius, the minimum temperature in Palam was 6.2, a drop of 1.2 notches, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
As of 5.30 am, the overall temperature in the city stood at 5.6 degrees Celsius. On Tuesday, the minimum temperature was recorded at 8 degrees.
The significant drop comes just days after the Met Department had predicted a sharp dip in temperature by Thursday in the national capital due to a cold wave which is also expected to affect the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Meteorologists have also warned of dense fog across parts of northern India, potentially reducing visibility and impacting transportation.
The last coldest day of this season was recorded on December 7, when the minimum plunged to 7.1 degrees Celsius, three degrees below the average.
DELHI AIR QUALITY ‘POOR’ TODAY
Despite the drop in the mercury, the air quality in Delhi remained under the “poor” category, with a thin layer of smog blanketing the city.
As per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 209 as of 7 am.
While the AQI in Anand Vihar (218), Ashok Vihar (227), Dwarka (250) and IGI Airport (218) were under the “poor” category, areas like Aya Nagar (148), Burari Crossing (187) and Chandni Chowk (181) witnessed “moderate” levels.
The AQI on Tuesday and Monday was recorded at 224 and 231, respectively, under the “poor” category.
Delhi’s air quality had significantly worsened in late October and early November, reaching “very poor” and “severe” levels.
