DELHI: A thick blanket of dense fog engulfed the capital on Sunday morning, plunging temperatures to a chilling 5.3 degrees Celsius, significantly below the seasonal average. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed the city under a yellow alert, predicting continued dense fog at several isolated locations until later in the day.

The chilly weather has raised alarms across the city, with Safdarjung recording the lowest temperature at 5.3 degrees Celsius, approximately 2.3 notches lower than normal. Other areas also felt the drop, with Palam recording 8 degrees Celsius and Lodhi Road seeing temperatures at 6.8 degrees Celsius. The relative humidity hovered at 100% around 8:30 AM, creating a perfect condition for fog formation.

As if cold temperatures weren’t concerning enough, air quality in Delhi has also deteriorated alarmingly. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at a staggering 444, categorizing it in the ‘severe’ bracket. This level of pollution poses significant health risks to residents, with daily life disrupted as people grapple with poor visibility and respiratory concerns.

Delhi's AQI scale classification indicates that any value above 400 is considered ‘severe’, which dramatically impacts health, particularly for vulnerable groups including children and the elderly. Local authorities advise citizens to remain indoors when possible and use masks if venturing outside. The convergence of severe weather conditions and high pollution levels serves as a critical reminder of the environmental challenges facing urban areas like Delhi, making it imperative for residents and policymakers to address these pressing issues.