Delhi Winter Tightens Grip At 6.5°C, AQI 'Very Poor' As Fog Engulfs Capital

Delhi wakes up to another chilly morning as the minimum temperature was recorded at 6.5 degrees Celsius at 5:30 AM.

Delhi wakes up to foggy morning. Visual from Akshardham and Sarai Kale Khan area.

Source : ANI

Residents of Delhi woke up to a foggy morning on Sunday as the temperature remained below 10 degrees Celsius. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi’s Safdurjung observatory recorded a minimum temperature of 6.5 degrees Celsius. However, the weatherman has predicted mainly a clear sky in the national capital later in the day. Early risers were spotted layering up for their morning workout amidst the haze engulfing the city.

#WATCH | Delhi wakes up to fog this morning as the temperature dips further; visuals from Akshardham and Sarai Kale Khan area

(Visuals shot at 7.35 am) pic.twitter.com/hTwbt6Ctsz

— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2023

People could be seen jogging and working out at a park in the Kashmiri Gate area, which was covered with a thin layer of haze.

#WATCH | People jog and work out at a park in the Kashmere Gate area which is covered in a thin layer of haze this morning as the temperature continues to dip in the national capital.

(Visuals shot at 7.15 am) pic.twitter.com/EFtaEicl60

— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2023

Similarly, Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh was blanketed by fog on Sunday morning as the weather became colder, prompting locals to gather around bonfires in an effort to stay warm.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Fog blanketed Kanpur this morning; people were seen sitting by the bonfire in a bid to keep themselves warm as the coldwave conditions persist.

(Visuals shot at 7:00 am) pic.twitter.com/iYw1t9kDdh

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 17, 2023

Meanwhile, the air quality in Delhi remained in the 'very poor' category on Sunday, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR). The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 311 at 8:00 am at IGI Airport (T3). New Moti Bagh recorded an AQI of 331, while Punjabi Bagh's AQI stood at 382, both falling under the 'very poor' category. Anand Vihar's air quality was 385.

On Saturday, the national capital witnessed a chilly start as well, with the minimum temperature hitting 5 degrees Celsius, three notches below the seasonal average. According to the IMD forecast, Delhi is expected to experience minimum temperatures ranging between 5 degrees Celsius and 7 degrees Celsius throughout the coming week. 

Delhi’s Safdurjung recorded a minimum temperature of 6.5°C today: IMD pic.twitter.com/tswOHReqxm

— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2023

Officials highlighted that on Friday, Delhi recorded its lowest minimum temperature of the season at 4.9 degrees Celsius, even lower than Shimla's minimum temperature of 6.8 degrees Celsius, as quoted by PTI.

With the temperatures continuously remaining low, the city's homeless have taken refuge in night shelters. Operating round the clock, these shelters offer essential amenities, such as bathing facilities, food three times a day, and medical care, including a clinic and medicine.