Delhi shivers as temperatures drop; Safdarjung records 10.3°C
Delhi is witnessing a sharp drop in temperatures, with Safdarjung recording a minimum of 10.3°C and Palam an even lower 8.6°C on Monday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) expects further drops in the coming days, with minimums falling to around 9°C and maximums remaining around 18°C. The city is also shrouded in dense fog, limiting visibility and possibly impacting travel conditions.
Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board sets up tents
Responding to the cold spell, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board has set up 235 pagoda tents to shelter the homeless. Delhi's air quality index was 179, which falls under the moderate category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. Other regions such as Uttar Pradesh and Punjab are also witnessing similar weather conditions as minimum temperatures have dropped significantly there too.
Cold spell extends to Uttar Pradesh and Punjab
In Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, the minimum temperature fell to 12°C, driving people to shelter homes. Ayodhya, meanwhile, recorded a minimum temperature of 9°C under a blanket of fog. Despite the fog in Punjab's Jalandhar, daily routines continued as normal. The IMD forecasts a gradual drop in temperatures across northwest and central India over the coming days with dense fog over Punjab and Haryana.
Severe subzero temperatures recorded in Jammu and Kashmir
Dr. Naresh Kumar from IMD said temperatures may fall by 3-5 degrees Celsius in several areas. "We are expecting dense to very dense fog over Punjab and Haryana for the next two days," Dr. Kumar added. In J&K, severe subzero temperatures were recorded due to snowfall with Gulmarg witnessing a low of minus 8°C, while Pahalgam recorded minus 8.5°C.
Rainfall and cold day conditions predicted in Delhi
Earlier forecasts had predicted rain and cold day conditions in Delhi on Friday and Saturday as a western disturbance interacts with easterly winds. This interaction was expected to bring light to moderate rainfall/thunderstorms over northwest and central India. A yellow alert was issued for rain and cold conditions in Delhi on these days, with the maximum temperature expected to dip to 20°C during this period.
