Delhi Shivers as Dense Fog Blankets the City Amidst Dropping Temperatures

Delhi woke up to a chilly morning as a sharp dip in minimum temperatures, recording at 4.8°C – three degrees below normal – enveloped the city. The contrast from the previous day, where the mercury stood at 8.3°C, was stark. This sudden drop in temperature led to the emergence of dense fog, causing disruptions in travel schedules with over 50 flights and 24 trains experiencing delays.

Despite the unfavorable weather conditions, there's a silver lining in the air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI), which had reached a 'severe' level on Wednesday at 409, showed signs of improvement, dropping to 355 (very poor) by 9 am on Thursday. This marginal improvement comes as a relief, considering the recent concerns over Delhi's air quality.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported visibility as low as 50 meters at Palam around 1:30 am, persisting until 8 am when it slightly ameliorated to 100 meters. However, the situation remains precarious, prompting the IMD to issue a yellow alert for Friday, predicting moderate to dense fog across the city.

An IMD official explained, "There is plenty of moisture in the air, and similar fog is expected in the next few days." Additionally, Delhi's maximum temperature is anticipated to hover around 20°C today, compared to the 18.3°C recorded on Wednesday.

Travel chaos ensued at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, with over 50 flights experiencing delays. Simultaneously, Northern Railway reported delays of at least 24 trains, extending over an hour. These disruptions are a direct consequence of the persistent fog, significantly impacting visibility and operational efficiency.

Wednesday marked Delhi's second 'severe' air day of the month, with the AQI soaring to 409 (severe) at 4 pm. However, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR, after an emergency meeting, decided against implementing stage-3 measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The decision was based on the optimistic forecast of a potential improvement in air quality within the next 24 hours.

As Delhi grapples with the challenges posed by the combination of dense fog and dropping temperatures, residents and travelers are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions. The city remains on alert, with hopes pinned on a gradual improvement in weather conditions and air quality in the coming days.