New Delhi, Jan 13: As Delhi and its surrounding areas prepare to celebrate Lohri on Tuesday night with outdoor gatherings and bonfires, the national capital continues to reel under an intense cold wave coupled with hazardous air pollution.
The city recorded its coldest January morning in three years, with the minimum temperature hovering around 3 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The IMD reported a minimum temperature of 2.9 degrees Celsius on Monday and issued an orange alert for cold wave conditions across large parts of the city.
Delhi’s primary weather observatory, in south Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 3 degrees Celsius, about 4.4 degrees below normal, PTI reported. The last colder January night was recorded on January 16, 2023, when the mercury dipped to 1.4 degrees Celsius.
Cold wave conditions are not limited to Delhi alone. Large parts of north India, including Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, are also experiencing severe cold. Several districts in Punjab and Haryana recorded near-freezing night temperatures, while dense fog and icy winds continued to disrupt normal life across western Uttar Pradesh.
The IMD has issued cold wave and fog warnings for these neighbouring states as well, cautioning people against prolonged outdoor exposure during night and early morning hours.
Air quality in Delhi remains in the category of “hazardous” with the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 300 in most areas on Tuesday. Dense fog enveloped the region, reducing visibility in the morning and causing delays in road, rail and air traffic. Officials said the combined effect of cold wave conditions, calm winds and fog has contributed to a steady rise in pollution levels across the capital and the National Capital Region (NCR).
As Lohri celebrations involve late-night outdoor activities, authorities and health experts have asked people to be careful. Residents have been advised to wear enough warm clothes and avoid staying outside for long hours at night. Extra care is needed for the elderly, children and people with long-term illnesses, as they are more affected by severe cold.
The cold weather has made life even harder for thousands of homeless people in Delhi and the NCR. Although night shelters have been arranged at several places, many people, mostly labour class are still forced to sleep in the open. Some are lighting small fires with collected waste to keep warm, while others are taking shelter under flyovers, near boundary walls, on pavements and around construction sites. Social organisations have warned that staying in extreme cold and inhaling smoke from such fires can cause serious health problems.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that minimum temperatures in the coming days are likely to stay between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius.
In its weather bulletin on Monday, the IMD said night temperatures may return to near-normal levels after January 15. A yellow alert has been issued for Wednesday due to continued cold wave and fog. Daytime temperatures have given only slight relief, with maximum temperatures between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius because of sunshine. However, nights remain very cold.
The IMD said clear skies at night are causing rapid heat loss, leading to a sharp fall in temperatures. Officials said this is the first officially recorded cold wave of the season at Safdarjung, though some areas had experienced similar conditions earlier. As the cold wave continues in north India, authorities have urged people to stay alert and take safety measures during outdoor activities and celebrations.
