Delhi has finally begun to see relief from the cold wave that gripped the city for the past five days, with Safdarjung, the city’s representative weather observatory, recording a minimum temperature of 4.3 degrees Celsius on Friday. This marks an improvement over Thursday’s chilling low of 2.9 degrees Celsius, which had been the lowest since January 18, 2023, when the mercury dropped to 2.6 degrees. While the cold wave has subsided, residents are still contending with moderate to dense fog in the early hours, coupled with extremely poor air quality that continues to pose health risks.

The minimum temperature recorded at Safdarjung on Friday, 3.3 degrees Celsius below the normal for this time of year, indicates that while the immediate severity of the cold wave is easing, temperatures remain lower than seasonal averages. In other parts of the city, similar trends were observed. At Palam, the minimum temperature rose to 4.7 degrees Celsius, a significant improvement from 2.3 degrees on Thursday, yet still 2.8 degrees below the normal. Notably, this is the lowest reading at Palam in 20 years since January 8, 2006, when temperatures fell to 0.3 degrees Celsius. Other weather stations recorded 4.7 degrees Celsius at Lodhi Road, 6 degrees at Ridge, and 4.3 degrees at Ayanagar. Importantly, none of the major weather observatories recorded conditions that qualify as a cold wave on Friday, signaling a clear easing in the severity of the frost.

Meteorological experts define a cold wave as occurring when the minimum temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius and is at least 4.5 degrees below the seasonal normal, or when the minimum temperature reaches 4 degrees Celsius or lower. By these criteria, while Thursday still recorded a cold wave in Delhi, Friday’s temperatures indicate that the city is moving back to normal winter conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that minimum temperatures are likely to rise further over the weekend, with readings expected to range between 6 and 8 degrees Celsius by Sunday and 7 to 9 degrees Celsius by Monday. With this warming trend, the threat of cold wave conditions is expected to remain absent in the coming days, offering residents some much-needed respite.

While the cold wave has lifted, the city continues to face a serious environmental challenge in the form of air pollution, which remains in the “very poor” category. The Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded a value of 350 at 9 am on Friday at Safdarjung, marginally higher than the 24-hour average of 343 reported at 4 pm on Thursday. The Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) has indicated that air quality is likely to remain very poor until Saturday, before deteriorating to “severe” levels on Sunday. The AQEWS further cautioned that the city’s air quality outlook for the next six days suggests persistent exposure to very poor to severe pollution levels, underscoring the continued health risks for Delhi residents.

Experts attribute the poor air quality to a combination of meteorological and human factors. The lingering fog and cold temperatures trap pollutants close to the ground, a phenomenon known as temperature inversion, which prevents the dispersion of particulate matter and other pollutants. Additionally, emissions from vehicular traffic, construction activities, industrial sources, and biomass burning in neighboring states contribute to the accumulation of fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), further degrading air quality. During such conditions, residents are advised to limit outdoor activities, especially children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, as exposure to very poor air quality can aggravate health issues.

The city’s air quality woes are particularly concerning because prolonged exposure to high levels of pollutants can have long-term health impacts. Respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can worsen, while cardiovascular risks, including hypertension and heart attacks, may increase. Airborne particulate matter can also affect cognitive health and reduce overall lung function in children. Authorities have urged people to wear masks when venturing outdoors and to use air purifiers indoors to reduce exposure to harmful pollutants. Schools and workplaces are encouraged to monitor the health of students and employees and take precautions to mitigate the effects of pollution.

In addition to air pollution and cold wave conditions, residents are advised to remain cautious about road travel during the early morning hours. Dense fog in several parts of Delhi continues to reduce visibility, increasing the risk of traffic accidents. The IMD has issued a yellow alert in several areas, warning commuters to drive carefully, use headlights, and maintain safe distances. Fog-related disruptions can also affect flights, trains, and public transport schedules, causing delays and inconvenience. While the cold wave itself has subsided, its lingering effects on the daily routine, coupled with poor air quality, continue to impact life in the city.

From a historical perspective, Delhi often experiences cold wave spells during the peak of winter in January, but the intensity and duration of such cold snaps vary each year. This year’s cold wave lasted for five days, with minimum temperatures in several parts of the city plunging to record lows in recent years. Safdarjung and Palam, two key observatories, recorded some of the lowest January temperatures in the past two decades. However, the IMD’s forecasts suggest that the city will witness a gradual warming trend in the next few days, reducing the likelihood of further extreme cold events.

While the easing of the cold wave is welcome news, experts caution that the air quality challenge remains severe. Delhi’s winter pollution peaks due to a combination of climatic factors and human activity, often leading to a public health crisis. The AQI readings in the very poor range indicate high concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10, which are harmful to human health. Environmentalists and public health authorities continue to call for strict measures to curb emissions, including regulating construction dust, industrial pollution, vehicular emissions, and discouraging open burning of crop residue in nearby states.

In the meantime, residents are encouraged to take practical steps to protect themselves. Wearing masks designed to filter fine particulate matter, avoiding outdoor exertion during early mornings, using indoor air filtration devices, and maintaining healthy indoor air circulation are recommended precautions. Vulnerable groups, particularly children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or cardiac conditions, should remain indoors as much as possible until air quality improves. Awareness campaigns and timely advisories issued by authorities, including schools and hospitals, play a critical role in safeguarding public health during periods of severe pollution.

In conclusion, while Delhi has begun to emerge from a five-day cold wave with temperatures gradually returning closer to seasonal norms, the city remains under environmental stress due to very poor air quality and dense morning fog. Minimum temperatures recorded across major observatories indicate that the cold wave has abated, yet the lingering low temperatures, coupled with fog, continue to pose health and safety challenges. With forecasts suggesting a rise in temperatures and no further cold wave conditions in the near term, residents can expect some relief. However, the persistent air pollution underscores the need for vigilance and preventive measures to protect health during the ongoing winter season. Authorities and environmental agencies continue to monitor the situation, issuing advisories and warnings, as the city navigates the overlapping challenges of winter weather and severe air pollution.

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