Delhi in Deep Freeze: Capital Shivers as Temperatures Sink and Air Quality Falters
Delhi plunged into an intense cold wave as temperatures dropped near three degrees, fog and pollution reduced comfort, and poor air quality persisted, even as Republic Day parade rehearsals continued under harsh winter conditions.
New Delhi found itself gripped by a piercing cold wave as winter tightened its hold on the national capital. Temperatures plunged across multiple monitoring stations, leaving residents bracing against some of the chilliest conditions recorded this season. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ayanagar emerged as the coldest pocket, registering a bone-numbing minimum of 2.9 degrees Celsius.
Large swathes of the city slipped into cold wave territory on Sunday night, with mercury levels hovering dangerously close to the three-degree mark. Palam, another key weather station, recorded 3.0 degrees Celsius, its lowest minimum in several years. IMD officials indicated that the icy spell is unlikely to ease immediately, with similar conditions expected to linger through the day and into the night.
At Safdarjung, often considered Delhi’s baseline weather station, the minimum temperature settled at 4.8 degrees Celsius on Sunday night, with forecasts suggesting a further dip to nearly 3 degrees Celsius. The Ridge area echoed this chill, reporting a minimum of 3.7 degrees Celsius, while daytime temperatures struggled to rise, peaking at 18.8 degrees Celsius.
Beyond the cold, air quality continued to cast a long shadow over daily life. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 293 as of 7 am Monday, placing it firmly in the ‘poor’ category. This marked a marginal increase from Saturday’s reading of 291, underscoring the persistent pollution problem even amid biting cold.
As per AQI standards, values between 201 and 300 are deemed poor, while readings above that threshold quickly escalate into very poor and severe zones. The stagnant air and low temperatures have compounded pollution levels, making breathing conditions uncomfortable for many.
Early morning commuters were greeted by a fragile veil of fog draped over areas such as Dhaula Kuan and Sarai Kale Khan, reducing visibility and adding to the winter gloom. In several localities, a thin mix of fog and smog blurred skylines and slowed traffic.
The cold spell has been relentless over recent days. Sunday dawned windy and sharply cold, with early morning temperatures around 6.6 degrees Celsius. Reduced visibility and biting winds amplified discomfort, particularly for pedestrians and two-wheeler riders. On Saturday, the mercury dipped to 5.4 degrees Celsius, accompanied by light rainfall in some pockets. Friday was no kinder, with minimum temperatures lingering near the five-degree mark.
Despite the harsh conditions, preparations for the 77th Republic Day parade continue unabated. Rehearsals are in full swing along Kartavya Path, where participants endure the unforgiving winter chill in the run-up to the national celebration.
