Delhi will witness dense to very dense fog in the mornings for the next two days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said while issuing an Orange Alert for Delhi-NCR. Light to moderate rains brought the maximum temperature down in the national capital on Saturday.
According to the Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 14.4 degrees Celsius and a maximum temperature of 21.8 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature settled at six notches above normal, largely owing to cloud cover.
Accompanied by thunderstorms, light to moderate-intensity rains amounting to 1.6 mm rainfall occurred over East Delhi, Central Delhi, Northeast Delhi, South Delhi, New Delhi and Lodhi Road on December 12. Other areas, including Dwarka, Narela and IGI airport also witnessed light rainfall.
Temperature is expected to drop in Delhi-NCR by Monday, an IMD official told news agency PTI adding that rains in Delhi were a result of western disturbance passing over the Himalayas. Blowing towards the plains, these winds originate from the western Himalayas, the official went on to add.
Rain on Saturday led to an increase in the moisture content which is likely to result in moderate-dense fog over the next two-three days. Officials believe that stronger winds and rain could also lead to improvement in air quality.
Delhi recorded a 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) of 356 on Saturday as compared to 295 on Friday. An AQI between 401 and 500 is considered 'severe', 301 and 400 'very poor' and 201 and 300 'poor'.