Chill Intensifies: Delhi-NCR gets rain, AQI dips; Shimla, Manali brace for fresh snow

Delhi and nearby cities received light rain on Saturday evening, offering relief from dense fog that had persisted for days. The rain also improved the Air Quality Index (AQI) to the ‘poor’ category on Sunday morning, marking a slight improvement from the ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ levels of recent days.

Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 7.7°C on Saturday, while the maximum stayed at 17°C, three degrees below the seasonal average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The city started the day with heavy fog, which delayed 45 trains but caused minimal disruption to flights at Indira Gandhi International Airport.

The IMD predicts a generally cloudy sky with light rain continuing into Sunday, providing much-needed relief from the cold wave gripping the region.

Delhi’s AQI, monitored through the Centre’s Sameer app, stood at 285 on Sunday morning, falling into the ‘poor’ category. This is a notable improvement compared to the past few days when the AQI hovered between ‘severe’ and ‘very poor.’ AQI levels above 300 significantly impact health, especially for vulnerable groups.

Cold wave conditions persist across northern India, including Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. In these regions, temperatures have dropped below freezing, intensifying the chill.

Shimla and Manali are likely to witness fresh snowfall as predicted by the local meteorological department. Moderate rain is also expected in the plains and lower hills, while snow is forecast for the middle and high-altitude areas.

A fresh western disturbance is set to affect northwest India starting the night of January 14. This weather system is expected to bring light rain and snow to isolated areas in Himachal Pradesh, particularly in the middle and high hills, on Thursday and Friday.

Broader Implications

The rainfall and subsequent improvement in air quality bring temporary relief to residents in Delhi-NCR. However, cold conditions remain severe, particularly in higher altitudes. Travelers to regions like Shimla and Manali should prepare for potential snowfall and chilly weather in the coming days.

As the cold wave continues, authorities advise taking precautions against low temperatures and monitoring updates from meteorological departments.