New Delhi, Jan 16 || Delhi-NCR woke up to heavy fog and light rain on Thursday, causing transportation disruptions, with 29 trains delayed and many flights. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘yellow’ alert, warning of dense fog conditions and light rain throughout the day.
The expected weather conditions may intensify the chill, with temperatures hovering between a minimum of 10 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 17 degrees Celsius. The dense fog is likely to persist on Friday morning as well, contributing to continued visibility issues.
Residents can expect poor visibility throughout the morning, evening, and night. The IMD has also predicted light rain showers on Thursday, which could further exacerbate the ongoing cold wave in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and surrounding areas.
In response to the cold weather, Delhi schools will reopen on Thursday. However, due to the severe conditions, the administration has decided to shift classes to a hybrid mode.
The persistent cold wave has prompted authorities to take additional measures to address air quality concerns. Earlier on Wednesday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage-III ("Severe") and Stage-IV ("Severe") air quality measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). These measures are now in effect across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) following a deterioration in air quality.