Delhi freezes amid IMD's two-day orange alert for cold wave; Ayanagar temp plunges to record 2.9°C

Delhi residents are reeling with cold wave conditions at a time when Ayanagar's minimum temperature dropped as low as 2.9°C on Sunday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a 2-day orange alert for cold wave as many places with reported below normal temperature on 11 January.

With minimum temperature plunging close to the three-degree mark at multiple locations across the city, Palam recorded its lowest minimum temperature in several years. Meanwhile, Ridge area registered 3.7 degrees Celsius minimum temperature.

Predicting cold wave condition and dense for for the coming days, IMD's forecast for Monday states, “Mainly clear sky. Cold wave conditions at a few places. Shallow to Moderate fog during morning hours. The maximum and minimum temperatures in Delhi are likely to be in the ranges of 18°C to 20°C and 02°C to 04 °C, respectively.”

The Meteorological Department warned against 3.1 to 5.0 degrees Celsius below normal minimum temperatures while “at isolated places and the maximum temperatures will below normal (-1.6°C to -3.0°C) over Delhi.”

The weather office issued a nowcast warning for the national capital valid till 11:23 AM today. The yellow alert warning states, “Moderate Fog very likely over parts of Central Delhi, South Delhi, New Delhi, South West Delhi, West Delhi, North West Delhi, North Delhi.”