Amid deadly fog, Delhi’s air quality worsened significantly, with the AQI surging to 344 on Wednesday. The combined effect of pollution and cold has left residents grappling with hazardous conditions.
BY PC Bureau
Delhi and its surrounding regions were blanketed in a dense fog on Wednesday as cold wave conditions gripped northern India, significantly impacting daily life. The national capital recorded a minimum temperature of 7°C at 5:30 am, accompanied by bone-chilling winds that made it feel even colder.
#Delhi #Noida, and other places in the national capital region #NCR woke up to layers of dense fog on Wednesday as cold wave conditions intensified across northern India, affecting visibility in the city. 🌫️😶🌫️ pic.twitter.com/UoGpv9XaGK
— sudhakar (@naidusudhakar) January 15, 2025
One of the densest fog of the season here at East Delhi border! The visibility is barely 20 feet.
Temp: 9.2°C
Humidity: 99.9%
Dew point: 9.1°C
VPD: 0.00kPaIs it foggy in your area? pic.twitter.com/OjaWDhWr6M
— IndiaMetSky Weather (@indiametsky) January 15, 2025
Visibility Drops to Zero in Parts of Delhi-NCR
Visibility plunged to alarming levels, with parts of Delhi-NCR experiencing zero visibility early Wednesday morning. At Indira Gandhi International Airport, visibility was recorded at just 100 meters by 6 am, causing disruptions to both air and rail travel. According to flight tracking portal Flightradar24, nearly 75 flights faced delays in arrival and departure. The airport authorities issued a statement urging passengers to check with their airlines for updates, especially for flights not compliant with CAT III landing systems, which are designed to handle poor visibility conditions.
Train Schedules Disrupted
#WATCH | Delhi | Visibility in the national capital is affected as a layer of dense fog engulfs the city
Visuals from Nirankari Colony pic.twitter.com/EPK03CGCH4
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2025
The dense fog also wreaked havoc on rail services, with delays reported on several major routes connecting Delhi to other parts of India. Passengers have been advised to check schedules frequently as conditions may persist throughout the week.
IMD Issues Orange Alert
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Delhi, warning of dense fog and cold wave conditions expected to last in isolated pockets until the end of the week. Travelers have been urged to remain vigilant and stay updated on potential delays.
Air Quality Worsens
Adding to Delhi’s woes, the city’s air quality plummeted into the ‘very poor’ category on Wednesday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 344 at 8 am, a steep decline from Tuesday’s ‘poor’ reading of 250, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The deterioration has been attributed to stagnant weather conditions exacerbated by fog, trapping pollutants closer to the ground.
Maximum and Minimum Temperatures
While the minimum temperature hovered at 7°C, the maximum is predicted to reach 18°C later in the day, offering little respite from the biting cold. Residents have been advised to stay indoors, dress warmly, and avoid prolonged exposure to the outdoors during the peak hours of cold.
Delhi’s cold wave, compounded by fog and pollution, has become a challenging ordeal for its residents. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and advise caution for travelers and commuters.
