New Delhi was still under the spell of a prolonged cold wave on Wednesday as the chilly breeze coming in the western Himalayan belt continued to bring night temperatures that were lower than the seasonal norm for the sixth consecutive day.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that some of the lowest temperatures recorded at various locations of the National Capital Region ranged between 5°C and 6°C, and that it was one of the coldest early-winter weeks in recent years.
But, according to weather officials, the cold wave intensity can be slightly mitigated after Thursday, with a slight increase in the day temperatures anticipated after the weekend.
Cold Wave Conditions Persist
Low visibility and biting north-westerly winds, and dense fog had kept the Delhi residents wrapped up during the morning commute. The base weather station of Safdarjung, which is the base weather station of Delhi, registered a lower temperature of two degrees below normal temperature, and other stations at Lodhi Road, Ridge, and Aya Nagar registered the same.
Based on these observations, some of the marginal areas in Gurugram and Noida saw early-morning temperatures that were near 4°C, which initiated short windows of cold-wave situations.
IMD officials attributed the unending chill to strong winds blowing in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, which had just received fresh snowfall on the upper hills. As a senior meteorologist said, the cold north-westerlies would last an additional 24 to 48 hours until their intensity decreases.
Also read:
- Delhi can stop blaming farm fires for its pollution woes
- Breathing the Hard Truth: Why Delhi’s Air Crisis is a Year
- Capital Under Siege: Delhi Rolls
Fog Continues to Affect Transport
The visibility dropped to less than 200 metres in some areas of Delhi and the NCR due to thick fog, affecting road traffic and causing delays to the early morning trains. There were minor delays on several flights at Delhi airport, but the situation did not deteriorate to the point of disruption of this magnitude.
According to the Northern Railway officials, precautionary speed limits have been placed on a variety of routes during the predawn hours.
The airlines advised passengers to check flight status beforehand because visibility varied in the mornings and late evenings.
Temperature Likely to Edge Up After Weekend
IMD predictions project a light increase in the maximum and minimum temperatures starting Sunday; the conditions during the day are likely to shift toward the normal world seasons.
The low-pressure winds have moved north-west, and with the temporary change in the location of the western disturbances, it is likely to increase by one to two degrees in the coming days. This, according to weather experts, would alleviate the current cold wave cycle in the plains of northern India, including Haryana, Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Pollution Moderately High but Stable
This kept the air quality in Delhi in the very poor category despite the drastic drop in temperature, as it did not slip into severe. The Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at an average of 340 with the aid of light daytime surface-level winds and irregular ventilation.
The authorities indicated that cold weather usually pushes the pollutants to the lower part of the air, and this time, the moderate wind speeds have not allowed cats to wreak havoc. The Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) encouraged the population not to open-burn and to stay outside in the mornings when pollution is at its highest.
Health Advisory Issued
The Delhi government and local hospitals have issued health warnings requesting the vulnerable groups, especially the elderly, babies, and individuals with breathing difficulties, not to venture outside the house early in the day.
According to medical practitioners, there has been a rise in cases of chills, cough, and bronchitis, and seasonal infections within the past week. They encouraged the residents to maintain hydration, wear winter-layered clothing, and use room heaters with sufficient openness.
Winter Likely to Intensify Again Later in December
Meteorologists believe the relief can be temporary, and another cold period is not to be excluded at the end of December if new western disturbances develop, leading to further snowfall in the Himalayan ranges. This is normal in the northern Indian winter pattern.
In the meantime, Delhi is shivering, though the population can take a slight positive mood since the temperature is rising slowly in the coming few days.
I craft sharp movie reviews and trend analysis, known for deep research, clear insights, and compelling storytelling across the latest in film and pop culture.
