Delhi began another day battling the deteriorating air quality and the biting cold on Monday morning as the national capital remained in the grip of the cold wave.
As per the data provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was 266 at 7 am on January 5, which put it squarely within the ‘poor’ category. An AQI between 201 and 300 indicates that the air quality is poor and could potentially cause discomfort in breathing for people in the sensitive category.
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Cold wave tightens grip on the capital
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature in Delhi has been 8.1-9.1 °C, which is approximately 4.5-6.5 °C lower than the average temperature. Cold wave situations will occur in isolated areas in the national capital until January 6.
The weather agency has forecast a clear sky in the capital city, with shallow to moderate fog in the early morning. The maximum temperature is expected to remain between 17 and 19 °C, and the minimum temperature is set to drop to 7 and 9 °C. The India Meteorological Department has said that minimum temperatures will be a notch above normal, with maximum temperatures near normal.
Cold wave and fog alerts across regions
The IMD has forecast a possible decrease in temperatures, ranging from 2-4°C in minimum temperatures, in Central and East India in the next three days, after which there is no significant change in temperatures expected. Cold wave conditions are expected in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh until January 8, in West Rajasthan until January 9, in East Rajasthan until January 10, and in Jharkhand on January 6-7.
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Dense to very dense fog has also been predicted at night and in the morning for Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, eastern Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha in the coming days.
