Delhi began Saturday with a bitterly cold atmosphere, with dense fog, low visibility, and a sudden drop in temperatures, further tightening the grip of winter in the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the cold wave conditions and dense fog.
The cold wave conditions persisted for the sixth consecutive day on January 16. The minimum temperature recorded in the city was 4.3°C, which was one of the coldest mornings experienced this season. According to official records, the lowest minimum temperature was recorded in Safdarjung and Ayanagar, followed by Palam and Lodhi Road, where the mercury was recorded at 4.7°C. The cold wave has resulted in harsh early mornings, especially in open areas.
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IMD forecasts gradual rise in temperatures
Despite the constant chill, IMD has forecast a gradual increase in minimum temperatures of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over the next five days. In its latest forecast, the department said, "Partly cloudy sky. Moderate fog at many places with dense fog at isolated places during morning hours. The maximum and minimum temperatures in Delhi are likely to be in the ranges of 21°C to 23°C and 06°C to 08°C, respectively."
For January 17, the minimum temperature is expected to remain close to normal, while the maximum temperatures are expected to increase to 1.6°C to 3.0°C above normal.
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Dense fog impacts flight operations
Thick fog had engulfed major areas of the capital during the early morning hours. At 6:30 am, the visibility at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) reduced to 350 meters, causing delays in flights.
Reportedly, the airport officials said that the operations were being carried out under CAT III conditions, which enable planes to land even in low visibility. A travel advisory was issued at 6:00 am, informing passengers: "Low visibility procedures are still in progress at Delhi Airport."
As the dense fog and cold wave situation persists, the yellow alert issued by IMD continues, warning people to remain cautious during the early morning and late-night hours.
