City records first cold day of year

Delhi recorded its first cold day of the year on Tuesday as maximum temperatures dipped sharply, bringing a noticeable chill to the national capital. Similar conditions are likely to persist on Wednesday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said maximum temperatures were observed in the range of 13 degrees Celsius to 16 degrees Celsius, with cold day conditions recorded at Palam and Lodhi Road.  According to the IMD, cold day conditions are declared when the maximum temperature remains 4.5 degrees Celsius to 6.4 degrees Celsius below normal.

The maximum temperature in the national capital on Tuesday was recorded at 15.7 degrees Celsius, which was 3.3 notches below the seasonal average, while the minimum temperature settled at 7.6 degrees Celsius, 0.7 notches above normal.  Station-wise data showed that the maximum temperature at Safdarjung was 15.7 degrees Celsius, 3.3 notches below normal, while Palam logged a maximum of 13 degrees Celsius, 5.7 notches below normal.  Lodhi Road recorded 15.8 degrees Celsius, 5.2 notches below normal, Ridge 14.9 degrees Celsius, 1.6 notches below normal, and Ayanagar 14 degrees Celsius, 2.9 notches below normal, the IMD said.

The minimum temperature in the national capital stood at 7.6 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung, Lodhi Road, Ridge and Ayanagar, while Palam recorded a slightly lower minimum temperature of 6.5 degrees Celsius during the morning hours. The minimum temperature at Safdarjung was 0.7 notches above normal.  Relative humidity levels remained high, with humidity recorded at 100 per cent in the morning and 91 per cent in the evening, according to IMD data.

For residents, the chill wind factor was felt sharply on the streets. “Even two layers are not enough. The cold is cutting through,” said Vinayak, a daily commuter waiting for a bus near Kashmere Gate, wrapped in a shawl and jacket. Office-goers and students were seen huddling near tea stalls, blowing into their hands to keep warm.

The weather office has forecast dense fog during the morning hours on Wednesday and issued a yellow alert. The maximum and minimum temperatures on Wednesday are expected to be around 16 degrees Celsius and 7 degrees Celsius, respectively, with cold day conditions likely to continue.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality deteriorated further, with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) slipping to 310, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category, worsening from 244 recorded on Monday.