The IMD’s forecast for the day predicts the minimum temperature to be around 11 degrees Celsius, with a maximum of 18 degrees Celsius. However, the weather agency has also warned of a “generally cloudy sky with light rain” throughout the day, keeping the chill intact.
As the temperatures plummeted, cold winds swept through the city, leaving many homeless residents seeking refuge in night shelters.
In response to the weather, shelters have been running at full capacity, with one facility at Yamuna Bazar near Kashmere Gate and another near AIIMS observed to have all beds occupied.
To provide additional support, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has set up 235 pagoda tents in various locations, including at AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and the Nizamuddin flyover.
While night shelters served as sanctuaries for the city’s vulnerable, many residents were seen gathering around bonfires for warmth. The cold wave also saw people from nearby Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad flocking to night shelter homes, as dense fog added to the chill.
Meanwhile, the air quality in Delhi remained in the “very poor” category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 316 at 6:00 am, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board. An AQI level between 301 and 400 falls under the “very poor” range, impacting health and air visibility.
Though the AQI has shown improvement in recent days, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) decided to lift the Stage-III restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Sunday, as air quality showed signs of improvement.
The stage-wise measures include limitations on non-essential construction activities and hybrid schooling for younger students. The decision followed a review by the Sub-Committee on GRAP, which acknowledged a positive trend in the air quality, aided by favorable wind conditions.
Despite the improvements, the forecast suggests that Delhi’s AQI will remain in the “poor” category over the next few days, and officials have cautioned that the city may continue to experience challenging air quality conditions. Stage-I and Stage-II measures will remain in place to curb pollution and minimize health risks.
(With inputs from ANI)
