Delhi witnessed a significant drop in temperature on Thursday, as cold wave conditions gripped the city. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature at 5:30 a.m. was recorded at 6.4°C, a sharp decline compared to previous days. The IMD forecasted the temperature to dip further, with a minimum of 5°C expected during the day, while the maximum temperature was predicted to hover around 21°C.
The city saw a steep temperature plunge, with early morning readings falling between 8°C to 11°C lower than the previous days. The IMD also predicted dense fog throughout the day, though reports from various parts of the city indicated varied visibility levels.
As the cold wave continued, many homeless individuals sought refuge in night shelters across the city. A shelter located on Lodhi Road was fully occupied, with all beds taken. To address the situation, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has set up 235 pagoda tents to accommodate the homeless, with additional shelters established at key locations, including near AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and the Nizamuddin flyover.
The city’s air quality also worsened, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) registering a “poor” level of 299 at 7 a.m., according to the Central Pollution Control Board. AQI values between 201 and 300 are categorized as “poor.” This deterioration in air quality has prompted authorities to maintain some restrictions. On Sunday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had revoked Stage-III actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after an improvement in the AQI. However, Stage-I and Stage-II measures remain in place to curb pollution.
