The harsh weather conditions have forced many homeless individuals to seek refuge in night shelters set up by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB).
New Delhi: A thick blanket of fog engulfed the national capital on Wednesday morning, accompanied with a sharp dip in temperatures that reduced visibility. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi’s minimum temperature is expected to drop to 8 degree Celsius, with the maximum likely to settle at 16 degree Celsius, with an alert of “very dense fog” conditions.
IMD forecast
The IMD has forecast that the dense fog, cold winds, and low temperatures will persist for the next few days. Authorities have urged residents to stay warm and limit outdoor activities, particularly during the early mornings and evenings, to combat the harsh conditions.
AQI in Delhi
Meanwhile, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 326 early Wednesday morning, falling into the ‘very poor’ category as per the Central Pollution Control Board. The AQI in Delhi has consistently remained in this category over recent days, highlighting the persistent pollution levels.
For context, an AQI between 301 and 400 is considered ‘very poor,’ while levels above 400 are deemed ‘severe.’
On Sunday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) lifted Stage-III restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) due to an improvement in air quality, while Stage-I and Stage-II measures remain in effect.
Deployment of shelter homes
The harsh weather conditions have forced many homeless individuals to seek refuge in night shelters set up by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB). The board has arranged 235 pagoda tents across the city, with shelters located in areas like AIIMS, Lodhi Road, and under the Nizamuddin flyover.
Residents across Delhi were seen huddled around bonfires to keep them warm, as the Met Department noted a recorded minimum temperature of 10.5 degree Celsius on Tuesday. Similar weather patterns have also been reported in Uttar Pradesh, where people sought shelter in Ayodhya as temperatures dropped.
(with inputs from agencies)
