Even as Delhi remained under a ‘yellow’ alert for moderate fog, light rain in the morning hours on Monday in several parts of the city helped thin the fog layer. While the drizzle brought slight relief, the Met Office has forecast rain this weekend which would lower the temperature and help lift the fog cover further.
Very light rainfall was reported in Najafgarh (2.5 mm), Pitampura (2 mm), Palam (1 mm), and Pusa (0.5 mm) since 5.30 am. Trace rainfall was also recorded in Lodhi Road, Ridge, and Ayanagar. The last time a rainy day was observed earlier than this for the month was on January 5, 2022, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD) data.
Rain is common in Delhi in the first week of January, according to data from 2011 onwards. So far, it has also been among the wettest winter seasons recorded in the Capital as December 2024 saw the highest rainfall since 1997.
Moderate fog conditions were observed over Safdarjung and Palam airports early Monday, according to IMD. The minimum visibility of 200 meters from 2 am to 4.30 am at Palam improved to 300 m at 5 am. Meanwhile, the lowest visibility recorded at Safdarjung was 300 m at 2.30 am which improved to 450 m at 7 am. A shallow fog persisted as the visibility was at 800 meters at the IGI Airport at 8.30 am. The Capital has been facing zero visibility conditions for the past four days since Thursday.
According to flight tracking website Flightradar24, while 122 departing flights were delayed and six were cancelled, 38 arriving flights were delayed and three were cancelled.
While there is no alert for rain as per the nowcast issued at 10.30 am, IMD issued a ‘yellow’ alert for light rain or thunderstorms in the Southeast National Capital Region (NCR). The alert for shallow fog is for the entire Delhi and parts of NCR.
The wind speed was better than what was reported a day before at 6 kmph, as it went above 8 kmph Monday forenoon in several stations in Delhi, as per the Delhi Pollution Control Committee data.
However, the pollution levels remain hazardous in the ‘very poor’ category with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 327 at 11 am, as per the Central Pollution Control Board. On Sunday, curbs under GRAP III were lifted by the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas, citing an improvement in the air quality levels. The GRAP Stage I and II restrictions, which include a ban on the entry of polluting interstate buses from NCR, remain in place.
Meanwhile, the minimum temperature at Safdarjung remained above normal at 9.6 degree Celsius. The maximum temperature is forecast to fall slightly due to the rain to 17 degree Celsius, two notches below normal.
On Friday, January 10, a partly cloudy sky is forecast along with shallow to moderate fog conditions. After that, light rain with thunderstorms and a generally cloudy sky along with moderate to shallow fog conditions have been forecast on Saturday and Sunday due to a fresh Western Disturbance. The maximum temperature is expected to dip to 16 degree Celsius, and although the minimum temperature will see a slight dip, it will remain above normal and hover around 7 to 10 degree Celsius.
A ‘yellow’ alert anticipating moderate fog conditions has also been issued for Wednesday. A mainly clear sky with smog or moderate fog in the evening or morning hours is forecast on Tuesday and Thursday.
Cold wave conditions gripped other parts of North India, and dense fog conditions were reported in Uttar Pradesh.
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