Delhi: Residents of the national capital woke up to another frigid morning on Sunday as winter conditions intensified across parts of Delhi, with minimum temperatures slipping close to the 4-degree Celsius mark at several locations.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the city’s base station at Safdarjung recorded a low of 4.8 degrees Celsius. While this reading was slightly above the seasonal norm, other parts of the capital experienced sharper drops, prompting the weather agency to issue a yellow alert for cold wave conditions.
According to IMD data, Palam and Ayanagar were among the coldest pockets, registering minimum temperatures of 3 degrees Celsius and 2.9 degrees Celsius respectively—both significantly below their usual averages. The Ridge area recorded 3.7 degrees Celsius, while Lodhi Road saw the mercury settle at 4.6 degrees Celsius, reflecting uneven but widespread cold across the city.
Meteorologists explained that a cold wave is typically declared when minimum temperatures fall 4.5 to 6.5 degrees Celsius below normal levels, a threshold met in isolated parts of Delhi. The IMD has warned that similar conditions are likely to persist into Monday.
Adding to the chill, humidity levels remained high, touching 97 per cent in the morning hours, creating a damp cold that residents said felt harsher than the readings suggested.
Air quality also remained a concern. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) at 295 at 9 am, placing it firmly in the ‘poor’ category. Health experts advise vulnerable groups to limit prolonged outdoor exposure under such conditions.
Looking ahead, the weather department expects the maximum temperature to hover around 17 degrees Celsius on Sunday, while cautioning residents to take protective measures against the cold, especially during early morning and late night hours.
