Cold wave hits North India! Residents face dense fog, deteriorating air quality

New Delhi: On Thursday morning, residents of Delhi and neighboring regions such as Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram awoke to a thick blanket of fog, coupled with a significant drop in temperature. The cold weather has exacerbated the already poor air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) fluctuating between 'very poor' and 'severe-plus' categories.

Air Quality Concerns

As of 6 AM on Thursday, Delhi's overall AQI was recorded at 448, just shy of the severe-plus category. Alarmingly, 21 out of 37 monitoring stations across the city reported AQI levels in the severe-plus range. Key locations such as Wazirpur (482), Vivek Vihar (472), and Nehru Nagar (485) highlighted the severity of the situation. In comparison, Ghaziabad's AQI stood at 381, while Noida and Gurugram recorded levels of 364 and 376, respectively. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) categorizes an AQI between 401-450 as 'severe,' indicating a critical need for public health measures.

Weather Forecast and Alerts

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued warnings for persistent fog conditions through Friday, attributing this to western disturbances affecting the region. Dr. Soma Roy from IMD noted that a further drop in minimum temperatures is anticipated due to these disturbances. On Wednesday, visibility was notably reduced, with temperatures plummeting to 5 degrees Celsius.

Cold Wave in Northern India

The biting cold is not limited to Delhi alone; other northern states are also grappling with harsh winter conditions. Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir are experiencing sub-zero temperatures, with Tabo in Lahaul and Spiti district recording a chilling minus 7.4 degrees Celsius. The local meteorological office has issued an orange alert for severe cold waves in several districts until Saturday.

Impact on Daily Life

The adverse weather conditions have made commuting increasingly challenging for residents. Commuters in Noida were seen navigating through dense fog on Wednesday morning as air pollution levels continued to rise. The IMD has also predicted cold wave conditions in parts of Karnataka, where temperatures are expected to remain significantly below normal.

As winter deepens across northern India, the combination of dense fog and deteriorating air quality poses serious health risks for residents. Authorities are urging individuals to take precautions against the cold and limit outdoor activities when air quality reaches dangerous levels.