This marks the lowest temperature recorded in the city so far this winter, the agency reported in a statement on Friday.
Several flights and trains were delayed in the national capital on Friday due to dense fog while the minimum temperature in the city was recorded at 7 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The national capital ushered in 2025 with cold weather and polluted air. On Wednesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 239 at 8 am, placing it in the "poor" category, while the minimum temperature dipped to 7.4°C, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Friday said it would organise a two-day Winter Rose Show, starting from Saturday at the India-Africa Friendship Rose Garden in Chanakyapuri here.
Solan district, known for growing mushrooms and tomatoes, also observed a similar rainfall deficit. The most recent rainfall in the district was in September, which was also below normal.
The Delhi Environment Minister said, "Within Delhi, numerous organisations with various functions work to eliminate pollution. In this context, a high-level meeting will be convened with officials from the Environment Department, DPCC, Development Department and Forest Department tomorrow."
The German Economy Minister said that, "the construction of electricity networks, LNG terminals and renewable energy must be done at 'Tesla speed'".
The NCR has suffered the most with Ghaziabad being the most acutely affected. Delhi, Faridabad, Noida, Greater Noida, and Gurugram were among the worst during the recent winter in terms of peak pollution. Hence the CSE’s conclusion calls for reflection ~ “Peak pollution was alarmingly high and synchronized, despite large distances within the regions ~ especially in the northern and eastern plains.”
Just as I had given up the idea of meeting anybody else on the trail, suddenly there appears a young boy, coming this way, almost rushing. As he comes close, and I am about chime a word of greeting, the person speaks, and I realize it is a young woman. She is covered in a heavy overcoat and her hair is neatly tucked in a rainbow woollen cap, but her voice is that of a woman. It is plaintive. “Excuse me, could you help me, please?”
Prudently and prosaically, I chose to pass my days in the company of the one person I know to be free of toxic viruses or murderous intentions, myself. I will, I decided, pass my winter days by myself, with the aid of written letters, spoken words and lighted screens. If I needed added salve, I would seek comfort from a redoubtable couple, Tequila and Tom Collins. Then came the snow. The mercury had been sinking the last several days.
