Delhi shivers in cold wave, dense fog disrupts flight and train operations

Delhi Weather: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday reported a minimum temperature of 9.6 degrees Celsius, which is 2.2 degrees above the normal for this time of the year.

The relative humidity is 99 per cent, with the maximum temperature expected to rise to 19 degrees Celsius later in the day.

The IMD has issued a yellow warning for dense fog across the national capital.

The thick fog in the early hours disrupted air and rail traffic.

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Several flights were delayed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport due to low visibility, causing inconvenience to the travellers.

The train services have also been affected, with many trains delayed and some cancelled.

Adding to the challenges is the poor air quality in the national capital.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) at 9 am was recorded at 274 by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

This places the city’s air quality in the “poor” category. According to the CPCB guidelines, an AQI between 201 and 300 indicates poor air quality.

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Meanwhile, on Sunday, the national capital is expected to receive light rain during the day, according to the weather department.

The city experienced fog in the early morning, with a generally cloudy sky prevailing. Delhi recorded 2.2 mm of rainfall by 8:30 am, and the minimum temperature stood at 9 degrees Celsius, one degree above the seasonal average.

According to the Indian Railways, 25 trains to Delhi are running late due to fog conditions in the national capital and parts of north India.

Some of the trains running late are Purushottam Superfast Express, Farakka Express, Anvt Humsafar and S Kranti Superfast Express. Some flights were delayed at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.

According to the CPCB, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”.