New Delhi: Dense fog engulfed Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) on Wednesday morning, reducing visibility on the streets. Movement of traffic slowed down and flight operations were affected.
Low visibilty was reported in several other parts of North India including Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
“I am not able to see the cars right ahead of me; India Gate is still far off,” said Uber driver Anil.
Officials from the Regional Meteorological Centre predicted that dense fog may be experienced over parts of UP and Delhi NCR over the next few days, owing to change in the speed and direction of the winds.
Wind speeds have reduced drastically over the last few days, with the highest speed recorded at 6 kmph on Tuesday. The wind is more likely to blow from east and northeast directions starting 30th November to 3rd December. The changed winds are expected to bring more moisture in, thereby reducing visibility in the region, according to a scientist at the Regional Meteorological Centre.
“The dispersion of aerosols will also reduce and consequently shallow to moderate fog is likely to occur at many places over UP (and Delhi NCR), with isolated dense fog episodes over the next four days,” he said on Tuesday.
After 4th December, the winds from the east are expected to cease, and visibility will probably improve once again. “However, mist/shallow fog will continue to occur in the mornings as the wind will remain calm,” he added.
Experts have also predicted that pollution levels are also expected to plummet over the next few days.
The Air Quality Index in areas like Kashemere Gate, Anand Vihar, Punjabi Bagh, Shadipur, Mandir Marg, Shantipath, Lodi Colony and RK Puram all crossed 400 this morning according to Hindustan Times’ real-time air quality tracking app. The level of air pollution in these areas have been called “severe,” and the air is deemed too dangerous to even breathe in.
Delhi residents can expect the minimum temperature to be around 8-10 degrees Celsius in the next few days. The maximum temperature will continue to be around 28-30 degrees Celsius.
Today, the maximum temperature is expected to be 29 degrees Celsius, and the minimum temperature will be 10 degrees Celsius, according to the Regional Weather Forecasting Centre (RWFC).
