Parts of north India continue to be in the grip of cold wave conditions, with temperatures dropping and a thick layer of fog enveloping cities in the mornings and evenings.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for dense fog during morning and forenoon in New Delhi, indicating severe weather conditions that may affect day-to-day activities.
On Tuesday, Delhi recorded its first cold day this year, with the weather office forecasting the conditions to persist on Wednesday. The minimum temperature was recorded at 8.6 degrees Celsius, 1.7 notches above the seasonal average during the morning hours. The maximum temperature in the national capital is expected to settle around 15 degrees Celsius.
Relative humidity levels were observed at 95 per cent in parts of the city during the morning hours, IMD said. Station-wise data showed that Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 8.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Lodhi Road at 7.7 degrees, the Ridge at 7.5 degrees, Ayanagar at 8 degrees and Palam at 7.1 degrees Celsius.
When it comes to the air quality in the national capital, the air quality index (AQI) was back in the ‘very poor’ category on Wednesday with an AQI reading of 336, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app.
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Station-wise data showed that Nehru Nagar recorded the worst air quality at 360 in the ‘very poor’ category along with 21 other stations that also logged ‘very poor’ air quality, while 14 stations were in the ‘poor’ category and two stations recorded ‘moderate’ air quality.
According to the CPCB classification, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’ and 401 to 500 ‘severe’.
Meanwhile, authorities in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddh Nagar district ordered the closure of all schools up to class 8 till January 10 in view of the dense fog and severe cold conditions, officials said on Tuesday.
The order applies to all recognised schools affiliated with the CBSE, ICSE, IB, the Uttar Pradesh Board and other boards operating in the district, District Basic Education Officer Rahul Panwar said in an official order.
The decision has been taken in compliance with the directions issued by the district magistrate, keeping in mind student safety amid prevailing weather conditions, the order said.
The minimum temperature in the district on Tuesday was recorded at 7 degrees Celsius, while it was predicted at 8 degrees for Wednesday and Thursday, 9 degrees Celsius for Friday and Saturday.
The IMD also predicted fog or mist during early morning hours till January 10.
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