Weather Update: Dense fog engulfs parts of Delhi-NCR, AQI remains in ‘very poor’ category

Delhi gets shrouded in dense fog as cold wave grips the city

Delhi was shrouded in dense fog as a cold wave gripped the city on Saturday morning. As the harsh winter continued many homeless people were seen staying at night shelters. According to the India Meteorological Department, Delhi recorded 10.2 degrees Celsius at 5.30 am on Saturday. At this time yesterday, the city's temperature was 9.6 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, the air quality in the national capital continued in the 'very poor' category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the AQI was recorded at 385 in Delhi today at 6 am. Yesterday at the same time it was 348.An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good,' 51 and 100 'satisfactory,' 101 and 200 'moderate,' 201 and 300 'poor,' 301 and 400 'very poor,' and 401 and 500 'severe.'

As the temperature dipped, a night shelter on Lodhi Road was seen with all its beds occupied. The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has also set up 235 pagoda tents to provide shelter to homeless people. Night shelters have been set up in several areas of the national capital, including AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and Nizamuddin flyover.

In response to the chilly weather, residents of the capital were seen gathering around bonfires, while others took shelter in night homes as temperatures continued to drop. Many North Indian states also experienced similar weather on Saturday morning with dense layers of fog and cold waves.

In Uttar Pradesh's capital Lucknow, the temperature was recorded at 11.4 degrees Celsius at 5.30 am Saturday. Manipuri city in the state was seen being blanketed with a dense layer of fog. Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh's capital Shimla experienced an unusual weather phenomenon on Thursday as the city recorded its highest-ever daytime temperature for January at 21.6 degree Celsius. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this surpassed the previous record of 21.4 degree Celsius, noted on January 30, 2006, making it the second-highest January temperature in the region's history.

Dr. Kuldeep Srivastava, Head of IMD Himachal Pradesh, remarked, "If we look at the past few days, Shimla has seen clear skies, leading to a significant rise in both minimum and maximum temperatures. However, a fresh Western Disturbance is set to approach the region on the night of January 4, bringing heavy snowfall and rainfall across the state from January 5 to January 7." He said.

According to the IMD, light to moderate rain and snowfall are expected in Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur. Rain and snowfall are expected in the central Himalayan region on January 6. There is a possibility of rain and thundershowers in the plains adjoining Punjab and Haryana on January 6.Jammu and Kashmir's capital recorded -0.6 degrees Celsius at 5.30 am on Saturday. 

(This story has not been edited by DNA staff and is published from ANI)