A dense blanket of fog enveloped the national capital on Tuesday morning, significantly reducing visibility and disrupting normal movement across several parts of the city. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), visibility dropped to as low as 100 meters at key monitoring stations, including Palam and Safdarjung, leading to slower traffic conditions during the early hours.

Despite the thick fog, temperatures remained slightly above seasonal averages. The minimum temperature in Delhi was recorded at 9.4 degrees Celsius, marginally higher than the normal for this time of year. Safdarjung reported a minimum of 9.4 degrees Celsius, while Palam logged 8.6 degrees Celsius. Lodhi Road recorded 9.6 degrees Celsius, about two notches above the seasonal average.

Other stations across the capital also reflected milder-than-usual winter temperatures. The Ridge area registered a minimum of 11 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal, while Ayanagar recorded 10.3 degrees Celsius, around two degrees above the average. Weather officials said such temperature patterns, combined with calm winds, contributed to the persistence of dense fog during the morning hours.

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Air quality in the city remained a concern amid the foggy conditions. Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 256 at 9 am, placing it in the ‘poor’ category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Station-wise readings showed air quality to be ‘poor’ at 19 locations, ‘very poor’ at 10 stations, and ‘moderate’ at another 10 across the city.

As per CPCB standards, an AQI between 201 and 300 is classified as ‘poor’ and can cause breathing discomfort to people with respiratory ailments. Authorities have advised residents to exercise caution, especially during early morning hours, and to limit prolonged outdoor exposure until visibility and air quality conditions improve.

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