Delhi weather update today: Delhi's minimum temperature plunged to a season's lowest of 3 degrees Celsius on Thursday (January 5). A brutal cold wave swept national capital with the minimum temperature dropping to three degrees Celsius- the lowest in January in last two years- making it cooler than several hill stations.
A thick layer of dense fog over north India, including Delhi, caused major inconvenience to commuters. The visibility levels were 50 metres around 5:30 am. According to the weather office, 'very dense' fog is when visibility is between 0 and 50 metres, 51 and 200 metres is 'dense', 201 and 500 metres 'moderate', and 501 and 1,000 metres 'shallow'.
The Safdarjung observatory, Delhi's primary weather station, logged a minimum temperature of three degrees Celsius as against 4.4 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and 8.5 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.Delhi cooler than HILL STATIONS:
Delhi's minimum temperature was lower than Dalhousie (4.9 degrees Celsius), Dharamshala (5.2 degrees Celsius), Kangra (3.2 degrees Celsius), Shimla (3.7 degrees Celsius), Dehradun (4.6 degrees Celsius), Mussoorie (4.4 degrees Celsius) and Nainital (6.2 degrees Celsius).
The weather stations at Lodhi Road, Ayanagar and Ridge in Delhi recorded minimum temperatures of 2.8 degrees Celsius, 2.2 degrees Celsius and 2.8 degrees Celsius, respectively. The cold snap is expected to strain power grids and pose challenges to the homeless.
As people gathered around bonfires across the city, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee on Wednesday had advised resident welfare associations, institutions and other establishments to provide electric heaters, blankets and warm clothes to security guards to prevent open burning of biomass which leads to pollution. The meteorological office had on Wednesday issued an orange alert for Delhi-NCR for Thursday and Friday.
Weather warning -KNOW ABOUT COLOUR CODES:
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) uses four colour codes for weather warnings:
- Green (no action needed)
- Yellow (watch and stay updated)
- Orange (be prepared)
- Red (take action)
Cold wave and cold day conditions are predicted to continue for the next 24 hours though there will be some improvement under the influence of a fresh Western Disturbance, which is likely to affect northwest India starting January 7, a senior IMD official said. In the plains, the meteorological office declares a cold wave if the minimum temperature dips to four degrees Celsius or when the minimum temperature is 10 degrees Celsius or below and is 4.5 notches below the normal.
A severe cold wave is when the minimum temperature dips to two degrees Celsius or the departure from the normal is more than 6.4 degrees Celsius. A cold day is when the minimum temperature is less than or equal to 10 degrees Celsius below the normal and the maximum temperature is at least 4.5 degrees Celsius below the normal. A severe cold day is when the maximum is 6.5 degrees Celsius or more below the normal.
Delhi airport update:
The Delhi Airport today (January 5) issued a fog alert for all its passengers. According to the authorities, low visibility procedures are in progress at the airport.
All flight operations are currently normal and the passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information, the authorities added.
TRAINS DELAYED/ RESCHEDULED/ CANCELLED:
Many trains are also running late owing to the dense fog and visibility level today. Around 12 trains are running late and two trains were rescheduled in the Northern Railway region due to fog.
The fog has reduced visibility all over North India.
IMD alert amid chilly winters:
IMD said in a statement, dense to very dense fog and cold day conditions are likely to continue over North-West India during the next three-four days. It said, "Cold wave conditions are likely to continue over northwest India during the next three days and the intensity will decrease thereafter.
"People in the wee hours were seen huddled around the bonfire.
"My shop gets opened 5:00 am. For survival I have to overcome the cold," an e-rickshaw mechanic who was seen around the fire told media.
As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, the minimum and maximum temperatures in January 2023 are most likely to remain below normal over many parts of central India and adjoining areas of peninsular, east and northwest India.
Meanwhile, Delhi's minimum temperature plunged to a season's lowest of 4.4 degrees Celsius on Wednesday (January 4) even as a dense layer of fog lowered visibility to 200 metres, affecting the movement of road and rail traffic.
ALSO READ: Delhi weather today: At 4.4 degrees Celsius, national capital records season's 'coldest' morning
ALSO READ: Weather update: IMD predicts intense 'cold day' conditions over northwest India for next 4-5 days
