‘Cold day’ conditions in Delhi with dense fog and icy wind

Delhi witnessed dense fog and chilly wind throughout the day on Friday.

The dense fog and low temperature prompted many to resort to burning wood and garbage in the open to keep themselves warm.

According to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), parts of Delhi witnessed ‘very dense to dense fog’ early on Friday as the minimum temperature settled at 9.4 degrees Celsius.

IMD’s forecast also stated that ‘cold’ to ‘severe cold’ day conditions are likely to continue in Delhi over the next two days. However, the intense cold is likely to decrease gradually thereafter.

Officials said an orange alert has been issued for Delhi for the day with shallow to moderate fog and cold day conditions likely at a few places.

According to IMD, a ‘cold day’ is when the minimum temperature is less than 10 degrees Celsius and the maximum temperature dips between 4.5-6.4 degrees below normal for the season.

Delhi’s AQI in ‘very poor’ category

As per Central Pollution Control Board, the air quality in Delhi remained in ‘very poor’ category with Air Quality Index (AQI) 327 on January 5. 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’.