Delhi shivers at 3.6 degrees C, coldest minimum temperature this season; Fog delays flights, trains

NEW DELHI: Operations of several flights at Delhi airport and trains at the railway station in the national capital were delayed at due to low visibility as the city was engulfed with a dense layer of fog on Saturday morning.

On Friday, the city saw the season’s first cold wave day, which, according to the India Meterological Department, is recorded when the minimum temperature goes below 4 degrees Celsius.

Today, the temperature in Delhi dipped further with Safdarjung reporting minimum temperature of 3.9 degrees Celsius, while Lodhi Road recorded 3.6 degrees Celsius, which is the lowest this winter.

The IMD issues a cold day warning when the minimum temperature is below 10°C and the maximum temperature drops below the normal by 4.5 degree Celsius to 6.4 degrees Celsius.

The general visibility at IGI Airport was recorded at 350 metres with runway visibility recorded between 800 metres to 1000 metres, the IMD stated.

Moreover, the visibility in Delhi’s Palam and Safdarjung was recorded at 200 metres each. “Visibility recorded (at 0530 hours IST of today, 13.01.2024) (<=500metres): Punjab: Amritsar-25, Patiala-500; Haryana-Delhi: Hissar-50, Palam (Delhi) & Safdarjung (Delhi)-200 each,” the IMD said.

Several trains were delayed in reaching Delhi, including the Mumbai CSMT-Amritsar Express, which was delayed by 4 hours in arriving at the national capital. Other delayed trains include Dakshin Express, Malwa Express, and Khajuraho-Kurukshetra Express.

Further Swaraj Express, Grand Trunk Express, Mangala Lakshadweep Express, and New Delhi Indore Intercity Express are also running late. The homeless were seen taking refuge in night shelters amid the inclement weather conditions.

The night shelters in Delhi are aimed at providing a refuge to homeless people, who live on the streets and have nowhere else to go in the cold. The shelters offer blankets, beds, hot water, and food to those seeking shelter.

The IMD has predicted maximum temperature to be 19 Degree Celsius and minimum temperature to be 5 Degree Celsius for today.

As per India Meteorological Department data, a dense to very dense fog was reported in isolated pockets of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Gangetic West Bengal and Andra Pradesh.

“Fog conditions observed (at 0530 hours IST of today, 13.01.2024): Dense to Very Dense fog reported in isolated pockets of Punjab and East Uttar Pradesh; Dense fog in isolated pockets over Haryana, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Gangetic West Bengal and Andra Pradesh,” IMD posted on X.

Cold-day to severe cold-day conditions prevailed at many places over Bihar, a few places over West Bengal and at some pockets over Madhya Pradesh today.

“Uttar Pradesh: Lucknow and Varanasi(Babatpur)-25 each, Gorakhpur and Bahraich-200 each, Bareilly, Varanasi and Sultanpur-500 each; Bihar- Purnea and Gaya -50 each, Patna & Bhagalpur- 500 each; Madhya Pradesh: Gwalior-200; Gangetic West Bengal: Diamond Harbour- 50, Malda-500”, IMD added.

Moreover, rehearsals for the January 26 Republic Day parade were conducted at Kartavya Path as cold wave and fog continued in the national capital.

Fog is likely to continue to prevail during the morning hours in isolated pockets of northwest India during the next three to four days. (ANI)