New Delhi, Jan 13 : An intense cold wave continues to sweep across the National Capital Region (NCR), with Gurugram recording its lowest temperature of the season at 0.6 degrees Celsius on Tuesday morning, marking a sharp dip in night temperatures.
Delhi also reeled under severe winter conditions, with the minimum temperature dropping to 4 degrees Celsius in the early hours. The capital was shrouded in a thin layer of haze amid biting cold and dry weather.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘Severe Cold Wave’ and ‘Very Dense Fog’ warning for Haryana and Delhi, cautioning residents to brace for continued harsh conditions.
The outskirts of the NCR also witnessed ground frost, further intensifying the chill. According to the weather department, temperatures fell further during the night, worsening cold stress across the region.
IMD forecasts indicate that severe cold and dense fog conditions are likely to persist over the next few days, potentially impacting visibility, travel, and daily life.
Air quality remains ‘very poor’
Alongside extreme cold, air pollution continues to pose a serious concern in Delhi–NCR. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 337 at 8 am, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category.
AQI readings at key locations across Delhi were recorded as follows: Nehru Nagar (358), Jahangirpuri (357), Anand Vihar (411), Patparganj (366), RK Puram (365), Wazirpur (375) and Vivek Vihar (366).
Authorities have urged vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions, to limit outdoor exposure amid the combined impact of extreme cold and poor air quality.