Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) witnessed dense fog and intensified cold wave conditions on Wednesday morning, disrupting visibility and potentially affecting transportation. The thick fog blanketed areas such as Delhi and Noida, with visibility in several places dropping to near zero. This pattern of weather has led to anxieties over air and rail schedules, which are adding to the difficulties of northern India winter weather.
Severely Reduced Visibility at Key Locations
At 6 a.m., visibility at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi was recorded at a mere 100 meters. Airport authorities reported a continuous degradation in view ranges and encouraged passengers to consult flight schedules.
It is requested that passengers contact the airline involved for updated flight data. Any delay or inconvenience caused is deeply regretted,” declared the airport authorities.
Temperature and Weather Forecast
At 30 a.m. the temperature was 7 degree Celsius and the peak temperature was ~19 degree Celcius. Moreover, the department forecasted a cloudy and light rain or drizzle weather condition in the area.
Even in cold weather, the lowest temperatures were indicated to have been “significantly above normal” by 3°C to 5°C in some localities of Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh.
Wind Conditions and Fog Predictions
The IMD highlighted the predominant surface wind patterns, with southeast winds moving at a speed of less than 4 kmph during the morning hours, increasing to 6-8 kmph in the afternoon, and dropping again to below 4 kmph from the northeast during the evening and night.
Dense to very dense fog is likely to lie over the night and early morning over parts of West and East Uttar Pradesh. Smog or stratus/shallow to moderate fog is also a possibility in the evening and night hours.
Air Quality Index: A Persistent Concern
The daily average of air quality index (AQI) in Delhi continued in “poor” level at 275. At 9 a.m., the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded an AQI of 256, which also fell into the “poor” category.
The AQI classifications are as follows: The AQI classifications are as follows:
- 0 to 50: Good
- 51 to 100: Satisfactory
- 101 to 200: Moderate
- 201 to 300: Poor
- 301 to 400: Very Poor
- 401 to 500: Severe
Future Weather Trends
The IMD forecast no large-scale change in minimum temperatures over Northwest India during the daytime but forecast a slow increase of about 2-3 degrees Celsius during the next three days.
Impact on Daily Life
Due to heavy fog and cold weather, life in Delhi-NCR is disrupted. Residents are emerging from periods of low visibility and degraded air quality, which has impacted outdoor recreation and journey time. The combination of persistent fog and poor air quality also poses health risks, especially for individuals with respiratory issues.
Authorities Urge Caution
Due to the ongoing cold spell and fog, local authorities have called on its residents to follow some precautions such as reducing exposure to the elements during early morning and evening, have some warm clothes and do not travel unless it is compulsory. It is recommended to travellers to keep abreast of flight and train schedules to avoid delays.
While Delhi-NCR fights the chilling winter, the region is facing put out its resilience to the test. The community continues to hold out hope for better air quality and clearer skies in the days ahead.
