Delhi records minimum temp of 8.4 deg C, dense fog delays trains and flights
Wednesday witnessed a major part of North India being enveloped in dense fog, resulting in the disruption of over 110 flights and 25 train services to and from Delhi
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi experienced a minimum temperature of 8.4 degrees Celsius, just slightly above the seasonal average. Meanwhile, dense fog led to poor visibility across various areas of the city on Thursday.
Wednesday saw much of north India blanketed by dense haze, causing the delay of over 110 flights and 25 trains in and out of Delhi.
“Dense to very dense fog (0-25 metres) in some pockets of Uttar Pradesh and in isolated pockets over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Southwest Rajasthan and North Madhya Pradesh," the IMD said in a bulletin.
"Less than 30 metres of visibility was recorded in Patiala, Ambala, Chandigarh Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Palam, Bareilly, Lucknow, Varanasi and Gwalior," it said.
In Delhi, the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 21 degrees Celsius, according to the department. The air quality of the city was in the "very poor" category.
The relative humidity at 8.30 am was 95 per cent in Delhi, the IMD said.
The IMD has also issued a dense fog warning for Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi during the late and early hours until December 31.
In an advisory for dense fog, the department has asked drivers to use fog lights and travellers to stay updated on schedules of airlines, railways and state transport. "Exercise caution while driving or using any mode of transportation," the IMD said.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data stated that Delhi's overall air quality index (AQI) at 9 am stood at 377.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".
UP schools closed
Meanwhile due to the persistent intense cold prevailing across North India, multiple schools in various UP cities have announced closures.
The fog-covered roads contributed to multiple collisions in Uttar Pradesh.
Tragically, one fatality and injuries to 12 others resulted from a collision involving several vehicles on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway.
Also, in Bareilly, a speeding truck collided with a house situated near the Bareilly-Sultanpur highway.
Another incident occurred on the Yamuna Expressway near Greater Noida where a massive pileup involving 12 vehicles caused injuries to several individuals. This happened at Jewar on the Noida-Agra route.
(With agency inputs)