Delhi Weather Today: Cold wave grips national capital as temperatures plummet, AQI at 299

A woman sits near a bonfire to warm herself on the banks of the Yamuna River, engulfed in fog, on a cold winter morning in Delhi.

Delhi experienced a significant drop in temperature on Thursday as cold wave conditions swept through the city, prompting residents to brace for chilly weather and dense fog. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a minimum temperature of 6.4 5 degrees Celsius at 5:30 am, with the day's low forecasted to reach 5 degrees Celsius and the maximum expected to hover around 21 degrees Celsius.

As temperatures dipped, the air quality in the capital deteriorated, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 299, falling into the 'poor' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

AQI classifications range from 'good' (0-50), 'satisfactory' (51-100), 'moderate' (101-200), 'poor' (201-300), 'very poor' (301-400), to 'severe' (401-500). The previous day's maximum temperature rose significantly to 16.2 degrees Celsius, but temperatures took a colder turn on Wednesday, dropping to 7.4 5 degrees Celsius, compared to 10.5 degrees Celsius the day before.

Parts of Delhi were shrouded in dense fog on Thursday morning, reducing visibility to near zero in some areas. The IMD also forecasted dense fog for the rest of the day, adding to the chill. The cold wave has driven many homeless people to seek refuge in night shelters for warmth.

Meanwhile, air quality remained a concern. On Thursday, despite the slight improvement, the air quality was still categorised as "poor."

Delhi has been experiencing fluctuating temperatures, with a sunny afternoon on Wednesday and a maximum temperature of 21.5 degrees Celsius, which was 2.5 degrees above the seasonal average. However, dense fog persisted in the morning hours, contributing to the chilly conditions.

As northern India continues to face adverse weather, Delhi is expected to see further drops in temperature. The IMD has predicted that the minimum temperature could fall to 5 degrees Celsius by Friday, with a continuing cold wave throughout the week.