N※N

Delhi Faces Yellow Alert as Cold Wave Hits and Smog Thickens

75

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. w-alert-as-cold-wave-hits-and-smog-thickens.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Friday, December 19th 2025 at 22:51 GMT by TheHealthSite

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-12-19 179 x 224 / 9210 Bytes

2025-12-19 179 x 224 / 11527 Bytes

2025-12-19 179 x 224 / 8649 Bytes

2025-12-19 224 x 224 / 9253 Bytes

Delhi’s Winter on the Verge: IMD Issues Yellow Alert Amidst Cold Wave and Thick Smog

On the evening of May 25, 2024, The Health Site reported a sudden downturn in Delhi’s weather conditions as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) released a yellow alert for the national capital and adjoining regions. The warning comes at a time when the metropolis is already grappling with a severe cold wave and an oppressive layer of smog that has turned the sky into a hazy, almost opaque veil. In this article we unpack the key takeaways from the IMD alert, the forecasted weather trends, the air‑quality crisis, and the practical advice issued to Delhi’s residents by health officials and the government.

1. The Yellow Alert: What It Means

IMD’s “yellow” classification indicates that a cold wave is “expected” or already present, but the intensity is moderate. If conditions worsen, the alert can quickly shift to orange (severe) or even red (critical). Delhi’s current temperature readings have already dipped to the low 8‑10 °C range, a stark drop from the city’s usual late‑May averages of 25 °C. Wind speeds are also spiking, with gusts approaching 80 km/h in some sectors.

The alert is not just about low temperatures. It also incorporates the compound effect of high wind and low humidity, both of which can accelerate the drop in human core temperature, increasing the risk of hypothermia and respiratory complications among the vulnerable population.

2. A Cold Wave and a Smog‑Tangled Sky

The cold wave’s origin lies in the high‑pressure system that has settled over the northern plains. As cold air moves southward, it carries with it a dense blanket of fog that is now intermingling with Delhi’s chronic particulate matter (PM) pollution. According to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), the PM₂.₅ levels have surged to 250 µg/m³—well beyond the “hazardous” threshold of 150 µg/m³ defined by the World Health Organization. PM₁₀ levels are similarly alarming, hovering around 400 µg/m³.

The combination of a cold wave and high particulate matter has a two‑fold impact: the cold intensifies breathing difficulties, while the smog makes the air physically uncomfortable to inhale. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI), measured at the central Delhi station, has peaked at 400, labeled as “very poor.”

3. Health Advisory Highlights

The IMD and Delhi’s health authorities have issued a multi‑pronged advisory:

• Dress warmly: Layered clothing, woolens, and gloves are recommended, especially for children, the elderly, and those with pre‑existing respiratory or cardiac conditions.
• Limit outdoor exposure: When possible, stay indoors during the peak hours of the cold wave (late evening to early morning). If outdoor activities are unavoidable, wear a mask that can filter out PM₂.₅ particles.
• Hydration and nutrition: Even when the weather is cold, maintaining fluid intake and a balanced diet helps the body adapt and reduces the risk of infections.
• Respiratory precautions: Those suffering from asthma, COPD, or allergies should check inhalers, take prescribed medication, and keep a spare inhaler handy.
• Check the air‑quality app: Regularly consult the “Delhi AQI” app, which pulls real‑time data from the government’s monitoring stations.

Health officials specifically warned that the combination of cold and poor air quality could trigger spikes in asthma attacks, heart‑related emergencies, and even lower respiratory tract infections.

4. Forecast Outlook

The IMD’s 72‑hour forecast shows the cold wave’s persistence, with temperatures hovering around 7–12 °C through the night of May 27 and dipping further into the 5 °C range during the early hours of May 28. Wind speeds are projected to remain in the 70–90 km/h bracket, especially in the northern sectors of Delhi. Fog is expected to cover most of the city between 7 pm and 4 am, with visibility dropping to less than 200 m in some parts.

Given the potential for a transition to a red alert, authorities have set up cold‑wave shelters in several community centers, offering heating, blankets, and free meals to at‑risk groups. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also released a detailed “Cold Wave Management Plan” outlining procedures for hospitals, schools, and transport authorities.

5. Government Response and Measures

The central government, through the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, has issued a directive to the State Pollution Control Board to enforce stricter emission controls on heavy vehicles and industrial units in the Delhi‑NCR area. Several factories have already been asked to curtail operations during the worst hours.

The Delhi government has also taken the following steps:

• Road‑side heating stations: Deployment of electric heaters at major intersections to assist commuters.
• Public transport adjustments: Delhi Metro will run at reduced speed during peak fog hours to prevent accidents caused by poor visibility.
• Awareness campaigns: Radio and television stations are airing public service announcements urging residents to stay indoors and keep windows closed to minimize particulate infiltration.

6. Linking the Information: Where to Find More

The Health Site article contains several hyperlinks that offer deeper dives into the subject:

1. IMD Forecast Page: https://mausam.imd.gov.in/, where you can view the latest satellite imagery and numerical forecasts for Delhi and the national capital region.
2. Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC): https://www.dpcc.delhi.gov.in/, providing real‑time AQI data, health guidelines, and official press releases.
3. World Health Organization Air‑Quality Guidelines: https://www.who.int/air-quality/, for a global context on permissible particulate thresholds.
4. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): https://www.ndma.gov.in/, for detailed emergency response protocols and resource maps.

These resources help residents, health workers, and policymakers assess risk, prepare contingency plans, and monitor the evolving situation.

7. Bottom Line

Delhi’s yellow alert is a clarion call: a cold wave is already in motion, and the city’s smog‑laden atmosphere only worsens the health risks. The combined effect of low temperatures, high wind speeds, and hazardous particulate levels creates a perfect storm for respiratory distress, cardiovascular strain, and hypothermia. Residents should heed the advisories, dress warmly, limit outdoor exposure, and monitor the AQI through official channels. The authorities are in motion, deploying shelters, enforcing emission controls, and issuing comprehensive guidelines to keep the city safe.

In a city as populous and dense as Delhi, the small temperature swing and heavy smog are not just weather trivia—they represent a serious public health emergency. Keeping abreast of the IMD’s latest updates and acting on the health advisories can help protect the most vulnerable among us.