Low visibility due to dense fog disrupted road traffic in several parts of the city, making the morning commute difficult.
Dense Fog Reduces Visibility Across Delhi
A thick blanket of fog enveloped Delhi, sharply reducing visibility across the city. Weather officials said moderate to dense fog is likely to persist through Wednesday, affecting daily routines and travel.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that fog conditions may remain intense during night and early morning hours, particularly across north India.
Fog to Continue in North India Till December End
In its forecast bulletin, the IMD said very dense to dense fog is expected over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and western Uttar Pradesh until 31 December.
Eastern Uttar Pradesh may see similar conditions until 1 January, after which fog is expected to gradually ease.
Weather Conditions Behind Prolonged Fog
As per a TOI report, weather experts linked the long spell of fog to calm winds, high humidity and clear skies.Mahesh Palawat, vice-chairman of private weather agency Skymet, said fog intensity had reduced slightly but would continue for several days.
“Moderate to dense fog will persist at least until January 1. Travel on highways will remain risky from late night until around 10am due to light winds, high humidity, low temperatures and clear skies,” he said.
Earlier on Monday, air quality worsened as the day progressed. By 4 pm, Delhi’s AQI touched 401, slipping into the severe category. This was an increase from the morning reading of 390.
Areas such as Wazirpur, Jahangirpuri, Rohini and Anand Vihar recorded AQI levels above 450, making them among the most polluted parts of the city.
Delhi Temperature Update and Rain Forecast
On Monday, Delhi’s minimum temperature was recorded at 8.3°C, around two degrees above normal. The maximum temperature reached 20.3°C.
The IMD said minimum temperatures are likely to stay near normal over the next three days and may rise slightly from January 1. Daytime temperatures are expected to remain above normal, with light rain forecast on January 1.
Delhi Pollution Likely to Remain Severe in Coming Days
With foggy conditions set to continue, authorities expect air quality to remain in the very poor to severe range over the next few days. January 1 is likely to witness another spell of severe air pollution, adding to concerns for public health and travel.
Inputs from TOI