Delhi Shivers as Temperature Plunges to 2.9°C, Marking Coldest Night in Three Years

New Delhi, January 17, 2026 – The national capital continues to grapple with a brutal winter spell as the mercury at the Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi’s base weather station, plummeted to 2.9°C on Thursday night. This reading marks the city’s coldest night in three years, leaving residents to face bone-chilling conditions and persistent cold-wave alerts.

The last time Delhi witnessed a more severe dip in temperature was on January 16, 2023, when the minimum reached 1.4°C. This year’s sharp decline—nearly five degrees below the seasonal average—was driven by icy northwesterly winds sweeping down from the Himalayas and a thick layer of fog that has blanketed the region for days.

Regional Extremes and Fog Disruptions

While Safdarjung recorded 2.9°C, other parts of the city reported even lower figures. The Palam weather station logged a minimum of 2.3°C, its lowest January temperature since 2010. Other stations like Ayanagar and Lodhi Road also saw mercury levels hovering between 2.7°C and 3.4°C.

The extreme cold was accompanied by dense fog, which severely impacted visibility across the Indo-Gangetic plains.

• Aviation: At the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, visibility dropped to 50 meters during the early morning hours, leading to delays for over 500 flights.
• Railways: More than 50 trains were reported running late due to the low visibility, disrupting travel plans for thousands of commuters.

Impact on Daily Life

The relentless cold wave, now in its sixth consecutive day, has forced the Delhi government to intensify its Winter Action Plan. Night shelter capacities have been expanded near major hospitals like AIIMS and Safdarjung to accommodate the homeless. Currently, around 250 temporary and 197 permanent shelters are operational, providing free bedding and heating facilities.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has maintained a Yellow Alert, warning that while a slight rise in temperature is expected over the weekend due to an approaching western disturbance, relief will be marginal.

Health and Air Quality Concerns

Compounding the weather crisis is the city’s deteriorating air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI) remains stuck in the “Very Poor” category, with a reading of 343. Weather experts warn that the lack of surface winds may push the AQI into the “Severe” range by Sunday, January 18.

Medical professionals have advised residents, particularly the elderly and children, to avoid outdoor activities during early morning and late night hours to mitigate the risk of respiratory issues and cold-related ailments.