Delhiites woke up to a chilling Thursday morning with the minimum temperature settling at 8.1 degrees Celsius, one of the coldest days of the season so far. The drop came on as a sudden plunge to the season’s lowest and it aggravated cold wave conditions in the national capital, which also saw no escape from ‘poor’ air quality making life all the more difficult for citizens already under firangi-bound harsh winter weather.
The met department attributed the drop in mercury to clear skies, lack of strong winds and cold north-westerly winds blowing into the region.
Loose cold conditions were reported from a few places in the city this morning too, with pockets of shallow fog restricting visibility. Commuters could be spotted donned in heavy woolens and morning rituals came to a grinding halt as cold waves seemed to smother the capital.
Cold Wave Conditions Tighten Grip
Weathermen said below-normal temperature are likely to continue in the next two days too. Night-time has become cooler, particularly in open and lower areas which are feeling cold. Daytime maximum temperatures were mostly unchanged, but the extremely hot days followed by cold nights have made life unbearable for many.
Cold wave is announced when the mercury dips below the normal temperature for the area, and it becomes particularly detrimental to sections of the population which are sensitive to cold such as children, elderly people and those without shelter.
People are encouraged to take precautions, wear layers of clothing and limit exposure to cold air in the early morning and late night.
Haze Still A Worry for Air Quality
With dipping temperatures, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) continued to stay in the poor zone with night and early morning hours witnessing an increase in pollution. Slower wind speed and lower mixing height have led to the build-up of pollutant around the surface, which has made breathing extremely difficult.
Health experts warn that cold air tends to keep pollutants nearer to the ground, heightening the risk of respiratory ailments. Those with asthma, heart and other chronic disease have been urged to restrict outdoor activity in the mornings and evenings when pollution is most intense.
The residents said their eyes and throat had begun to itch, while morning walkers felt breathless. Even though it was cold, local authorities were advising against the burning of firewood or other waste materials as an attempt for heating because air quality is worse.
Impact on Daily Life
The twin challenge of cold snap and bad air threw life out of gear in Delhi. Children going to school were wrapped in woollen clothes and people felt uneasy while commuting in the morning hours. Traffic slowed down a little on fog-prone stretches, but there were no major disruptions.
Shelters for the homeless have filled up around the city and civic agencies are ramping up night patrols to sweep in vulnerable people to shelter homes. There are arrangements for temporary heating and blankets in some places under winter relief measures.
But life remains challenging for street vendors and daily wagers as enterprises lose business with mornings turning colder and working hours being reduced.
What to Expect in Coming Days
Cold wave condition may prevail, as the minimum temperature continued to hover below normal over next few days too,” said a weather official. Although it will have some ups and downs there isn’t a quick warming trend in the near future. Air quality also isn’t likely to improve all that much unless the wind subsides.
Experts recommend for residents to keep abreast of daily weather and air quality updates, avoid spending too much time outdoors when pollution levels are higher and take health guidance released by authorities.
Precautionary Advice for Residents
The following is what doctors suggest in cold and polluted weather:
- Do not exercise outdoors in the morning.
- Wearing masks if you’re going to be out for longer periods
- Get the air flowing: Keep indoor spaces ventilated but warm.
- Stay hydrated despite reduced thirst
- If you have difficulty breathing, get medical help right away
Outlook
With winter closing in on the city, cold temperatures and recurring air pollution have become a double whammy for Delhi, testing the public’s endurance.
Although the cold wave is likely to continue for a few more days, experts say that better wind patterns are vital to reduce the impact of poor air quality. In the meantime, locals are being urged to remain safe, warm and informed.
Image credit: OpenAI (Representative image)
