The winter scenario became harsher in Delhi-NCR on Wednesday with the increasing impact of cold day conditions, thick fog, and poor air quality making the morning environment tougher for citizens. The air quality turned poor once again in several parts of the city, while the Air Quality Index (AQI) continued to remain in the ‘very poor’ zone.
Cold wave and fog persist
India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued warning of dense to very dense fog at a few places over Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and East Rajasthan, and moderate to dense fog at numerous places over Delhi during the morning of Jan 7 and Jan 8. Cold Day conditions were also expected at isolated places over Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, and ground frost was observed in a few places in Uttarakhand.
ALSO READ | UPSC rejects West Bengal’s DGP empanelment proposal over inordinate delay
Weather conditions over Delhi
Over Delhi, partly cloudly skies are expected over the next 24 hours, mainly clear skies on the next two days, followed by generally cloudly skies. Fog/mist prevails at night, with shallow to moderate fog in the morning.
Temperature outlook
Even as minimum temps dropped in the national capital, with 8-9 degrees being recorded, the maximum temps ranged between 13-16 degrees.
IMD said that minimum temperatures have increased by 1-2 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temps have reduced by 2-3 degrees Celsius in the past 24 hours. Winds from the westerly direction with speeds of up to 15 kmph were blowing in the national capital. The weather center also stated that minimum temperatures are likely to fall slightly during the next two days, but then increase by 1 to 2°C. Maximum temperatures are forecast to remain considerably below normal on January 7, but then rise slightly on January 8 and remain near normal afterwards.
The general conditions were caused by the presence of a western disturbance, which has been a cyclonic circulation that has been persisting over north Pakistan and its adjoining regions, coupled with a strong subtropical westerly jet stream sinking over northwest India.
ALSO READ | Bengali archaeologist discovers Indus Valley unicorn seal at Gujarat's Lothal
Air quality remains poor
The AQI in Delhi on January 7 stood at 302, which falls under the ‘very poor’ category. The air quality of adjoining cities remained severe too. The AQI of Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurugram, and Faridabad stood at 317, 307, 295, and 219 respectively
Some places in Delhi registered an AQI of over 300. These places are: Nehru Nagar, Anand Vihar, Chandni Chowk, Pusa, Jahangirpuri, and Okhla
Schools shut in Noida
Due to the dense fog and extreme cold wave, the administration in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar district decided to shut down all schools up to class 8 until January 10. This is applicable to all recognized schools following CBSE, ICSE, IB, the Uttar Pradesh Board, and other boards operating in the Gautam Buddha Nagar district. The IMD warned of the possibilities of dense fog and cold day conditions continuing at isolated areas with poor visibility during the initial morning hours.
