Meanwhile, Severe Cold Wave Continues Across the Capital
Delhi continued to reel under intense cold on Thursday. Meanwhile, the city recorded its coldest night in three years. The minimum temperature dropped to 2.9°C, as per IMD data. Due to icy northwesterly winds, the chill intensified across the region. In addition, dense fog covered large parts of the city during early hours. As a result, cold wave conditions extended into a fifth consecutive day.
Notably, Temperatures Fall Well Below Seasonal Average
Notably, Thursday’s minimum was 4.5 degrees below normal. Compared to Wednesday’s 3.8°C, the mercury fell sharply. Earlier, Delhi had seen a lower minimum of 2.6°C on January 18, 2023. Similarly, Palam recorded 2.3°C, its lowest in 20 years. At the same time, Ayanagar logged 2.7°C, while Lodhi Road and Ridge recorded 3.4°C and 4.5°C respectively.
Consequently, Fog Disrupts Flights and Train Services
Consequently, dense fog caused major disruptions to transport services. Visibility dropped to 50 metres at Palam airport between 6 am and 9 am. Meanwhile, Safdarjung reported visibility of 100 metres. Due to this, over 500 flights faced delays at IGI Airport. Additionally, more than 50 trains ran behind schedule. Authorities urged commuters to remain cautious during early travel hours.
However, IMD Predicts Gradual Relief Over the Weekend
However, relief is expected soon. IMD has issued a yellow alert for Friday. Accordingly, minimum temperatures may rise to 4–6°C. Thereafter, a further increase is likely over the weekend. Moreover, a western disturbance could bring warmer winds and light rain by January 22 or 23. Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality remains very poor. Experts warn it could deteriorate further before improving.
