Delhi woke up to its coldest morning of the season on Saturday, as the minimum temperature plunged to 7.1 degrees Celsius, three notches below the seasonal average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Adding to the chill, the city’s air quality took a turn for the worse, slipping back into the ‘poor’ category after three consecutive days of ‘moderate’ readings. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board revealed an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 222 around 9 am.
The AQI scale classifies air quality as follows:
- 0-50: Good
- 51-100: Satisfactory
- 101-200: Moderate
- 201-300: Poor
- 301-400: Very Poor
- 401-500: Severe
Delhi’s humidity levels stood at 89% at 8:30 am, IMD officials reported. Despite the cold and pollution, the weather is expected to remain clear throughout the day, with a maximum temperature projected at 25 degrees Celsius.
The drop in temperature signals the onset of harsher winter conditions, as the city continues to grapple with air quality concerns that resurface with seasonal changes.
Sources By Agencies