Delhi Braces for Cold Wave, 'Very Poor' AQI as Temperatures Plummet

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Delhi is in for a chilly New Year, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting a cold wave in the national capital from Friday. The IMD forecast indicates that Delhi is likely to experience cold wave conditions at isolated places between January 2 and 5, with a minimum temperature drop of 4.5-6.5 degrees Celsius below the normal average temperature. The city's maximum temperature on Thursday was recorded two notches below normal at 17.3 degrees Celsius, while the minimum settled at 10.6 degrees Celsius, 3.7 notches above normal. The IMD also predicted a layer of dense to very dense fog in Delhi till January 6, reducing visibility in several areas. Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality index (AQI) remained in the 'very poor' category, with a 24-hour average of 380, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Officials attributed the poor air quality to an unfavourable ventilation index and low wind speeds. The coldest December day in six years was recorded on Wednesday, with the maximum temperature dipping to 14.2 degrees Celsius, about 6.2 degrees below normal. The IMD has forecast a partly cloudy sky in Delhi, with moderate fog at many places and dense fog at a few places during the morning hours. The maximum temperature is likely to be in the range of 16 to 18 degrees Celsius, and the minimum between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius.