New Delhi: The national capital is witnessing a sharp dip in temperatures as a severe cold spell grips Delhi-NCR in the first week of January, marking
the city’s first cold wave of the year. Chilly winds, dense fog and cold day conditions have made mornings particularly harsh for residents across Delhi-NCR.
Yellow alert in Delhi
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday warned that dense fog is very likely during morning hours across northwest, central, eastern and northeastern parts of the country over the next five to seven days. In Delhi, a yellow alert has been issued to caution people against prolonged exposure to low temperatures. The IMD forecast indicates dense fog in the morning and forenoon, followed by cold day conditions during the afternoon and evening. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 15 degrees Celsius, while the minimum may drop to 6 degrees. At 5:30 am on Tuesday, the temperature was recorded at 9.6 degrees Celsius.
Schools closed in Noida
The cold conditions are being attributed to icy winds blowing in from Himachal Pradesh, intensifying winter across north India, including Delhi-NCR. Due to the ongoing cold wave, authorities in Noida have ordered the closure of schools up to Class 8 until January 10.
The weather agency said that cold wave conditions are expected to prevail in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Odisha between January 7 and 9, while Rajasthan may experience similar conditions from January 8 to 11. Madhya Pradesh is likely to face a cold wave on January 7 and 8, while Vidarbha region in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are expected to remain under cold conditions till January 8.
Delhi AQI today
Meanwhile, Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 304 at 6:00 am, placing it in the very poor category, with several areas recording alarmingly high pollution levels.
Nehru Nagar recorded the highest AQI at 360. Anand Vihar followed closely with an AQI of 352. Pusa reported 350, while Chandni Chowk and Okhla recorded 349 each. Sirifort stood at 348 and Jahangirpuri at 347.
The Karni Singh Shooting Range registered an AQI of 343. RK Puram recorded 342. JLN and Mundka both reported 339. Patparganj and Vivek Vihar recorded AQI levels of 337 each.
Dwarka reported an AQI of 334. Wazirpur stood at 329. Punjabi Bagh recorded 328. Ashok Vihar reported 324. Sonia Vihar registered 322. Dilshad Garden recorded an AQI of 313.
Snowfall forcast in J&K, Ladakh and Himachal
The IMD has also forecast light snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh due to a fresh western disturbance. While cities like Shimla and Manali have so far seen limited snowfall, higher reaches of Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti, including Rohtang Pass, have already received light snow. Dense fog alerts have been issued for lower hill districts such as Mandi and Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh till January 8.
