Delhi suffocates under severe smog as cold wave tightens grip

The situation was further aggravated by a sharp dip in temperatures, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a cold wave alert for several areas.

According to IMD data, Delhi’s primary weather station at Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 4.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday, while Ayanagar registered 4.9 degrees Celsius.

Several other parts of the city experienced temperatures below the 5-degree Celsius mark, indicating intensified winter conditions.

In its latest bulletin, the IMD forecast a partly cloudy sky for the day, with moderate fog at many places and dense fog at isolated locations during the morning hours.

The maximum temperature is expected to hover between 21 and 23 degrees Celsius, while the minimum may remain between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality continued to deteriorate sharply. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed the city’s 24-hour average AQI at 437 at 6:30 a.m., categorising it as ‘severe’.

Several monitoring stations reported AQI readings above 450, placing them in the ‘severe+’ category.

Areas including Wazirpur, Sonia Vihar, Rohini, RK Puram, Punjabi Bagh, Patparganj, North Campus, Nehru Nagar, Mundka, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Dwarka Sector 8, Chandni Chowk, Burari Crossing, Bawana, Ashok Vihar, and Anand Vihar recorded extremely hazardous air quality levels.

The IMD also issued a nowcast warning for fog due to significantly reduced visibility across multiple locations. In response, Indira Gandhi International Airport issued a passenger advisory, stating that Low Visibility Procedures were in place.

While flight operations remained largely normal, passengers were advised to check with their respective airlines for real-time updates.

The combined impact of severe air pollution, dense fog, and cold wave conditions has raised serious health concerns, particularly for children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory ailments.

Authorities said the situation is being closely monitored as harsh winter conditions continue to intensify across the region.