Bone-Chilling Cold Grips Delhi, Red Alert Issued as Temperatures Plummet
Bone-chilling cold, frost, and thick fog continue to grip North India, including the capital city of Delhi, for the past two weeks. The Meteorological Office had initially predicted an improvement in weather conditions starting last Monday, but the situation has worsened since last Friday. Today, on Saturday, some parts of Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 3 degrees Celsius, prompting the issuance of a 'Red Alert.' The Meteorological Office suggests that there is little hope for improvement in the coming days. Despite occasional cold sunshine, the persistent cloud cover adds to the harsh winter conditions. Dense fog has severely disrupted air and rail traffic, with visibility in North India dropping to zero last Friday. Flights, trains, and highway traffic have been affected, leading to an increase in accidents. While there is a slight improvement in visibility today, it may take several more days for conditions to alleviate. The issuance of a red alert serves as a warning to the public. In Delhi's Ayanagar, the temperature plummeted to 3 degrees Celsius today, while other areas recorded temperatures around 3.4 degrees. The maximum temperatures are fluctuating between 12 and 18 degrees. The bitter cold, combined with fog and cold winds, intensifies the winter experience for residents. The lack of sunlight compounds the challenges faced by the public, impacting health and overall well-being. The 'Air Quality Index' (AQI) in Delhi at 9 am today stood at 365, categorized as 'very poor' by the Central Pollution Control Board. An AQI above 400 reaches the 'dangerous' level. The dual challenges of extreme cold and pollution have led to an increase in health issues, particularly among the elderly. Government hospitals report a surge in the number of elderly patients seeking treatment for pneumonia. The Meteorological Office forecasts that this challenging situation will persist for the next three days. While rain in January is typical for Delhi, there is no indication yet of when relief might come.