New Delhi: Delhi shivered through another harsh winter morning on Wednesday as temperatures dipped close to the freezing mark, intensifying cold wave conditions across the national capital. Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) showed minimum temperatures hovering between 3 and 4 degrees Celsius in the early hours, with no significant relief expected during the day.
The chilly spell follows a similarly cold start on Tuesday, when residents woke up to near-freezing conditions. Dense fog blanketed several parts of the city, reducing visibility on roads and causing delays in early-morning travel, particularly for commuters and transport services.
Alongside the biting cold, Delhi continued to battle alarming levels of air pollution. According to figures released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 357 at around 7 am, placing it firmly in the ‘very poor’ category. This marked a decline from the previous day, when the AQI was recorded at 337.
Pollution levels remained dangerously high in multiple localities. Jahangirpuri emerged as one of the worst-affected areas, with the AQI reaching 420, categorised as ‘severe’. Other hotspots included RK Puram at 407, Dwarka Sector 8 at 403, Wazirpur at 386, Chandni Chowk at 397, and Anand Vihar and Punjabi Bagh, both registering AQI readings in the mid-360s. Bawana also reported poor air quality, with the index crossing 360.
Health experts continue to warn that prolonged exposure to such conditions can pose serious risks, especially for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory ailments. As per official standards, AQI levels above 300 are considered extremely harmful, while readings over 400 fall into the severe category.
With cold and pollution combining to create difficult living conditions, authorities have urged residents to limit outdoor activities and take necessary precautions as the wintry spell persists.
