The cold wave is expected to continue till next week in the country's capital Delhi and other cities of North India. In such a situation, there is no possibility of people of North India getting relief from the cold. There is a possibility of heavy rain in Andhra Pradesh in South India. In such a situation, the Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert. The mercury has reached minus in most areas of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. The minimum temperature in Leh was recorded at 15.2 degrees.

Cold wave is likely to persist in major cities of North West India for the next 7 days. Cold wave to severe cold wave is likely to persist in different places of western Rajasthan on 20 and 21 December. At the same time, cold wave to severe cold wave is likely in some places of Himachal Pradesh during 19-23 December.

Orange alert in Himachal and Punjab

An orange alert has been issued regarding cold wave in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Meanwhile, a yellow alert has been issued for Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The minimum temperature in Adampur in Punjab was recorded at 2.6 degrees. The minimum temperature in Hisar in Haryana was recorded at 2.8 degrees. The minimum temperature in three cities of Rajasthan also remained below 4 degrees. The mercury is going into minus in Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. The temperature in Leh was recorded at minus 15.2 degrees, while the temperature in Kargil was minus 14.2 degrees. The mercury in Avantipur in Jammu and Kashmir was minus 8.2 degrees. 

Delhi's air is in severe category

Delhi's air quality slipped into the 'severe' category on Thursday with the 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) at 4 pm settling at 451. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board, 32 of the 35 monitoring stations in the city recorded the air quality as 'severe'. The AQI level touched 470 in some areas. The fourth phase of the 'Graded Response Action Plan' (GRAP) is currently in force in the national capital. These measures include a complete ban on construction activities and a ban on the entry of polluting trucks. The Delhi government has imposed a 'permanent ban' on firecrackers in the city.

Dense fog alert in Delhi

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor' and 401 to 500 'severe'. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'yellow alert' for Friday, warning of dense fog. The department said the maximum temperature on Thursday was recorded at 23 degrees Celsius, slightly above normal, while the minimum temperature was five degrees Celsius, three degrees below normal.