Coimbatore Taxi News
NEW DELHI: Almost 48 hours since it descended, dense fog refused to lift from the capital throughout Friday, making it the gloomiest day of the season. The maximum temperature plunged to the season's lowest of 12.1 degrees Celsius, a full 9 degrees below normal, leaving Delhiites shivering through the day. Traffic at most spots moved at snail's pace even as air and rail traffic remained severely disrupted.
Flights were delayed almost all through the day even as 34 were cancelled and 10 diverted during spells of very low visibility. Those who thought they would escape flight delays by travelling in trains were in a shock as 102 trains were delayed and 26 cancelled.
The fog also claimed one victim after a man died at Nihal Vihar due to an accident caused by low visibility. Two persons were injured in another fog-related accident at Moolchand. Driving after dark remained hazardous as visibility dropped to less than 50 metres several times during the early morning hours.
The Metman, meanwhile, said the fog will continue on Saturday though its duration may decrease.
A number of Delhiites complained that they had a tough time leaving their homes in the morning. "I did not go for my regular morning walk on Friday morning because it was so unbelievably cold and I could not bring myself to step out," said Ajay Mehra, a resident of Gulmohar Park. Delhiites were seen huddled in bulky woollens to escape the chill. "Along with the cold, it was also hazy throughout the day. Driving in the evening was a bit of a problem because of this and I had to be extra careful," said call centre executive Saloni Datta.
According to Met officials, Friday was also the coldest January 8 in the past five years. At Palam, where the maximum recorded was 12.4 degrees Celsius, this was the lowest since 2003 and the sixth lowest since 1969. "The day temperature has fallen as there has been absolutely no sun since Wednesday evening. The fog has been acting very much like a cloud cover, keeping the sunlight out. Almost all parts of northwest India have been facing such conditions. The minimum temperature rose since the fog did not let the Earth's heat escape and touched 8 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal," said R K Jenamani, director in-charge, IGI Met.
Officials said since Wednesday evening, visibility has risen beyond 800 metres only for a couple of hours. "The fog cover has maintained its hold since for 48 hours with a respite of only a couple of hours," said Met officials on Friday evening. "This is a common phenomenon in January. In January 2003, there was a 198-hour spell of dense fog. The maximum temperature is what impacts human health the most. On Friday, there was a difference of only 4 degrees between the maximum and the minimum, making it feel almost like night," said Jenamani.
The coldest day of the season, despite the problems, also brought a smile on the faces of many. Coffee shops were seen packed with shivering Delhiites lining up for a cup of hot coffee and places like India Gate had a number of people out enjoying the afternoon. "This is the time when we can really sit back and enjoy the cold. I like nothing more than to sit outside in the afternoon with hot coffee or soup and enjoy the winter," said Ananya Gupta, a resident of Shalimar Bagh.
-THE TIMES OF INDIA
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