Delhi Weather Update Today: Delhi-NCR witnesses fog, cold wave, improved air quality this Christmas

As Delhi experiences a cold wave with temperatures dipping into the single digits, the number of homeless people seeking refuge in government-run night shelters has increased. On Tuesday, December 24, the maximum temperature in Delhi was recorded at 21 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature dropped to 9 degrees Celsius. This significant drop in temperature has led to a higher demand for night shelters, where homeless people can find shelter from the harsh, cold weather.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued weather forecasts for nearby areas. In Gurugram, dense fog and mist are expected on December 25, with temperatures ranging from 8 degrees Celsius to 21 degrees Celsius. In Noida, the weather will be similarly foggy, with temperatures ranging between 9 degrees Celsius and 22 degrees Celsius. The IMD has advised residents to take extra caution during early morning hours when visibility is expected to be low due to fog.

On Christmas morning, a thin layer of fog covered Delhi-NCR, giving the day a cool and misty start. While the fog was not dense, it did reduce visibility slightly, which may affect those traveling early in the morning.

In addition to the cold weather, air pollution levels in Delhi showed signs of improvement. On December 24, the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 369 at 4 pm, indicating a decline in pollution levels. This improvement allowed for a relaxation of restrictions under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which includes measures such as banning construction activities, limiting the entry of non-essential polluting trucks into the city, and shifting classes to online modes.

The weather department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology have stated that Delhi's air quality is expected to continue improving, thanks to favorable meteorological conditions. This will hopefully provide some relief to the city's residents from both the chilly weather and air pollution.