Delhi shivered through one of its coldest mornings of the season on Friday as the minimum temperature in the national capital dipped to 4.6 degrees Celsius, intensifying the ongoing cold wave, according
to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The sharp drop in temperatures was accompanied by intermittent rainfall and cold northwesterly winds, which together deepened the chill across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).
Weather data from the Safdarjung observatory showed that the minimum temperature settled at 4.6 degrees Celsius, significantly below the seasonal average, underlining the severity of the cold spell.
The IMD said that light rainfall was recorded in several areas, including Safdarjung, Lodi Road, ITO, India Gate, Nehru Stadium, RK Puram, Defence Colony, Lajpat Nagar, Vasant Kunj, Hauz Khas, Malviya Nagar, Mehrauli, Chhattarpur, Aya Nagar and Deramandi.
Intermittent drizzle was also reported from isolated locations such as Dwarka, Najafgarh, Rajouri Garden, Paschim Vihar, IGI Airport, Rajeev Chowk and the President’s House.
Residents were caught off guard by the early morning showers, with rainfall beginning around 6 am in several parts of the city.
As reported by IANS, dark clouds enveloped the capital before the rain set in, initially falling at a moderate to heavy intensity before turning lighter.
Gurugram and Noida also witnessed rainfall despite the absence of a specific precipitation warning.
The IMD said that Delhi’s maximum temperature is likely to hover between 16 and 17 degrees Celsius, keeping daytime conditions colder than usual.
The weather office also indicated that any significant change in minimum temperatures over the next few days was unlikely, with cold wave conditions expected to persist.
AIR POLLUTION PERSISTS
While rainfall is generally expected to help disperse pollutants, air quality across the capital showed only marginal improvement.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 280, placing it in the ‘poor’ category, ANI reported.
Several pollution hotspots continued to record ‘very poor’ air quality levels.
Anand Vihar logged an AQI of 385, Chandni Chowk 335, Jahangirpuri 340, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium 354, ITO and Ferozeshah Road 307 each, and Nehru Nagar recorded 392.
The Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range registered an AQI of 360, while Dwarka Sector 8 stood at 346 and Ashok Vihar at 328, according to CPCB data.
Some areas showed relatively better readings, though air quality remained in the ‘poor’ range.
IGI Airport Terminal 3 recorded an AQI of 252, while Alipur stood at 280, Aya Nagar at 299, Bawana at 276, Burari Crossing at 278, CRRI Mathura Road at 299 and DTU at 289.
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