Delhi Hits 2.9°C Low in Severe Cold Wave and Fog

Delhi endured a severe cold wave on Sunday, with minimum temperatures plunging below 4 degrees Celsius across multiple weather stations in the national capital, prompting the India Meteorological Department to issue a yellow alert for ongoing cold conditions and dense fog.

Residents awoke to biting cold as the mercury dipped to 2.9 degrees Celsius in Ayanagar, the lowest reading of the day, while Palam recorded 3 degrees Celsius and the Ridge area 3.7 degrees Celsius. At Safdarjung, Delhi's primary observatory, the minimum temperature was 4.8 degrees Celsius, which is 2.6 degrees above the seasonal average but still indicative of cold wave conditions in isolated pockets. Maximum temperatures also stayed below normal, ranging from 16.2 degrees Celsius at Palam to 20 degrees Celsius at the Ridge. The cold spell marked a continuation of harsh winter weather, following Saturday's record low of 4.2 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung, the coldest January morning in the city since 2024.

The India Meteorological Department attributed the chill to higher moisture levels from recent rainfall and reduced sunlight, which have intensified the cold and contributed to persistent fog. Moderate to...