Delhi-NCR Weather Update: Residents Wake Up At 9 Degrees; AQI Improves To A Low of 270- Will It Rain Today?

Delhi-NCR residents woke up to a cold Thursday morning (Jan 29) with temperatures hovering around 9 degrees Celsius, and the chill is expected to intensify further. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature in the national capital may drop to 7 degrees Celsius, prompting the weather department to issue a yellow alert for the city.

The cold conditions are being accompanied by dense fog during the morning hours, which is likely to reduce visibility on roads and affect daily travel. The maximum temperature is expected to stay around 18 degrees Celsius, keeping the day cool but manageable.

Well, according to the IMD forecast there is no rain expected today.

IMD Forecast: More Cold Days Ahead

As per the latest IMD bulletin, Delhi is expected to witness a drop of 4 to 6 degrees Celsius over the next three days, followed by a gradual rise in temperatures thereafter. During this period, the minimum temperature may remain below normal, while the maximum temperature is also likely to stay significantly lower than usual.

The weather department has also predicted light rainfall with gusty winds over the weekend, particularly on Saturday and Sunday. These conditions could push the mercury down to 7 degrees Celsius once again, extending the cold spell.

However, relief is expected after February 1, when temperatures are likely to improve. The minimum temperature may rise to around 13 degrees Celsius, while the maximum could touch 19 degrees Celsius.

Air Quality Sees Slight Improvement, But Concerns Remain

Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) showed a slight improvement on Thursday morning, with the overall AQI recorded at 270, placing it in the 'poor' category. This improvement is being credited to three days of rainfall earlier this month, which helped settle dust and pollutants.

Out of 29 monitoring stations, five recorded 'moderate' air quality, while 16 stations reported 'poor' AQI levels. However, the situation is far from normal, as 17 stations still fell under the 'very poor' category, indicating that air pollution continues to be a serious concern.

Areas such as Jahangirpuri, Rohini, Sonia Vihar, Anand Vihar, and Wazirpur recorded very poor air quality, while locations like Lodhi Road, Mandir Marg, NSIT Dwarka, and Aya Nagar reported comparatively better conditions.

Health Advisory for Residents

Despite the slight improvement, experts advise residents to wear masks while stepping outdoors, especially during early morning and late evening hours. People with respiratory issues, children, and the elderly should take extra precautions, as the air remains unhealthy in several parts of the city.

While cooler temperatures bring temporary relief from extreme pollution, Delhiites are advised to stay alert as both cold weather and poor air quality continue to impact daily life.