NEW DELHI: As the capital celebrates Makar Sankranti today, Delhi woke up to its coldest morning of the season. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a minimum temperature of 3.2°C at the Safdarjung Observatory, the lowest January temperature since 2023.
An ‘Orange Alert’ remains in place for cold wave conditions, with “dense to very dense fog” affecting isolated pockets of the NCR region.
Visibility Drops: Flights and Trains Impacted
Thick fog in the early hours of Wednesday reduced visibility significantly at Palam and Ridge areas.
- Flights: Operations at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport have been impacted, with several morning departures delayed due to low runway visibility (CAT III conditions).
- Trains: The Northern Railway reports that over a dozen trains bound for New Delhi are running late by 2 to 5 hours due to fog in Haryana and Punjab.
Connection to J&K / North India Cold Front
This intense cold spell is directly linked to the aftermath of Western Disturbances in Jammu & Kashmir. Icy north-westerly winds from the snow-clad mountains of Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are sweeping across the plains, causing this sharp dip in mercury.
Quick Updates:
- Current Temp: 3.2°C (Safdarjung)
- Fog Status: Moderate to Dense (Visibility < 200m)
- AQI Alert: Air Quality remains ‘Very Poor’ to ‘Severe’ (360+)
- Advisory: Use fog lights on Yamuna Expressway.
Official Advisory for Commuters
According to the IMD, cold wave conditions are likely to persist for the next 24 hours, with a slight relief expected from January 16 due to a fresh Western Disturbance. The traffic police have advised commuters to drive cautiously as visibility remains poor in open areas.
Makar Sankranti Celebrations
Despite the biting cold, devotees were seen gathering at the Yamuna ghats for the holy dip. However, crowds remained smaller than usual due to the freezing conditions and high pollution levels.
FAQ Section:
A1: No official order has been issued for January 15 yet, but many private schools have already shifted opening timings to 9:30 AM or 10:00 AM.
A2: The IMD predicts a rise in minimum temperatures by 2-3°C starting Thursday, January 15, as wind directions change.
