- By Nidhi Giri
- Wed, 08 Jan 2025 06:39 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
IMD Weather: India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued an orange alert for dense to very dense fog in multiple areas of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh at night and early morning hours until January 10. A thick layer of fog blanketed Delhi on Monday morning as cold wave conditions prevailed in the city. Visibility was significantly reduced at airports across the region, disrupting flight services.
#WATCH | Chandigarh city covered in a thin layer of fog this morning with the minimum temperature being 11 temperature, as per IMD. pic.twitter.com/TQHgHmtlq9
— ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2025
The minimum temperature is expected to plunge to 8 degrees Celsius for the day whilst the maximum temperature is anticipated to remain at 16 degrees Celsius, along with "very dense fog," as per IMD.
"Currently, a western disturbance has just passed over North India. Following it, we had very strong northwesterly winds. Because of that, there was a layer of fog initially and that fog prevented temperatures from falling...Today what we are expecting is the winds will reduce in speed. So fog conditions will increase tonight and tomorrow morning as compared to today morning... Temperatures have fallen by 3-4 degrees Celsius over most parts of North India. And we are expecting further fall by 1-2 degrees Celsius over remaining parts of North India. From tomorrow, as the winds will weaken, southeasterly wind flow will start. Because of that, we are expecting that the temperatures will start to rise, moisture will increase and this will start increasing the minimum temperatures while also increasing the probability of fog...We are giving very dense fog likelihood for Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, including Delhi tomorrow morning with an orange alert," said IMD Scientist Soma Sen Roy, as quoted by news agency ANI.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 326 at 6 am on Wednesday, categorised as 'very poor' as per the data of the Central Pollution Control Board. The AQI in Delhi has remained under the 'very poor' category for the past few days.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good,' 51 and 100 'satisfactory,' 101 and 200 'moderate,' 201 and 300 'poor,' 301 and 400 'very poor,' and 401 and 500 'severe.
At New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), 200 flights were delayed, and four services were cancelled. In the latest advisory, the airport authorities stated that while landings and takeoffs continue, flights that are not equipped for low-visibility landings (CAT III A compliant) may be affected due to the prevailing weather conditions.