Delhi-NCR Battling Intense Cold Wave, IMD Issues Health Advisory Amidst Fog Conditions

Delhi-NCR continues to grapple with an unrelenting cold wave, registering a minimum temperature of 7.3 degrees, as reported by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday. The capital region anticipates a maximum temperature of around 15 degrees today, with a promising decrease in fog conditions over the next two days, as forecasted by the IMD.

The IMD projects the persistence of the cold wave for 2-3 more days, affecting Delhi and its surrounding National Capital Region. Dense fog has blanketed regions in Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Bihar, with even more pronounced conditions observed in Madhya Pradesh and Tripura, alongside moderate fog in Jammu division.

Concurrently, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded ‘very poor’ air quality in various parts of Delhi. Key locations displayed Air Quality Index readings of 379 in RK Puram, 312 in Lodhi Road, 377 in ITO area, and 387 in the IGI Airport area, urging heightened caution among residents.

The IMD has issued critical health advisories due to the prevailing dense fog and cold wave. Highlighting the potential respiratory impacts, IMD warns of particulate matter and pollutants in dense fog, which could severely affect lung function, potentially resulting in wheezing, coughing, and breathlessness.

Additionally, the advisory cautions against eye irritation, emphasizing the risk of various eye infections due to exposure to airborne pollutants, leading to redness and swelling.

IMD further forecasts continued cold day to severe cold day conditions in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, along with persistent dense to very dense fog in the plains of Northwest and East India for the next two days.

For more information and precautions, residents are encouraged to adhere to the health advisory issued by the IMD amidst these challenging weather conditions.