Delhi's First Cold Wave Hits with Fog and Severe Pollution

Delhi faced its first cold wave of the season on Saturday, December 20, as temperatures plunged to the lowest levels recorded in the capital this month, with maximums dropping to 16.9 degrees Celsius, more than five degrees below normal. Dense fog blanketed the city, severely reducing visibility and contributing to hazardous air quality, while at least 129 flights were canceled at the Indira Gandhi International Airport due to low visibility conditions.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the day met cold wave criteria, with maximum temperatures at key stations like Safdarjung and Palam falling 4.5 to 6.4 degrees below normal. The minimum temperature dipped to 6.1 degrees Celsius overnight into Sunday, December 21, about two degrees below average. Visibility early Saturday morning was as low as 200 meters at Safdarjung and 350 meters at Palam, improving only slightly to 400 and 600 meters by midday. A persistent grey haze and thick smog compounded the discomfort, obscuring the sun and affecting commuters across the national capital.

Air quality deteriorated further amid the cold spell, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 398 by late Saturday...