Chilly Morning in Delhi, Air Quality Improves; IGI Airport Issues Fog Advisory

Cold wave conditions continued to grip north India on Sunday, with Delhi waking up to another chilly morning as the minimum temperature dipped to 4.8°C, while moderate fog blanketed parts of the region, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Although the city’s overall air quality improved to the ‘poor’ category, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport issued a passenger advisory due to low visibility.

On Saturday, the national capital recorded its coldest morning of the season, with the minimum temperature dropping to 4.2°C, about 2.7°C below normal, IMD data showed. Air quality, however, worsened, touching the higher end of the ‘very poor’ category, with the AQI at 346, according to the Sameer application of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Delhi Weather

On Sunday, Safdarjung, Delhi’s base IMD station, logged a minimum temperature of 4.8°C, while a thin layer of smog reduced visibility in several parts of the city. Several localities were colder than the city average, prompting the IMD to declare cold wave conditions at isolated places.

Ayanagar recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 2.9°C, followed by Palam at 3°C and the Ridge at 3.7°C, according to an earlier HT report.

The Regional Meteorological Centre said skies are likely to remain mostly clear during the day, while cold wave conditions in isolated areas and moderate fog during morning hours are expected to persist.

Cold wave conditions are also forecast to continue across parts of north and northwest India, including the Delhi-NCR region, over the next few days.

Delhi AQI

By 10:05 am on Sunday, Delhi’s overall AQI had improved to 290, placing it in the ‘poor’ category. However, several areas continued to record ‘very poor’ air quality, with AQI levels crossing 300.

Nehru Nagar registered the highest AQI at 348, followed by Anand Vihar (338), Jahangirpuri (337) and Pusa (335).

IGI Airport Advisory

Delhi’s IGI Airport issued an advisory for passengers as fog and cold wave conditions affected visibility in the national capital. The airport clarified that flight operations remain normal.

“Low Visibility Procedures are in progress at Delhi Airport. All flight operations are presently normal. Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight updates,” the advisory said.