Delhi woke up to the coldest December morning of the season on Wednesday, with the minimum temperature dropping to 4.9 degree Celsius.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the minimum temperature was recorded 4.9 degree Celsius in Safdarjung , while it was 6.2 degree Celsius in Palam.
According to the IMD, most northern and north-western states of India are experiencing a significant drop in temperature due to cold and dry winds.
Temperatures across these regions have fallen below 10 degrees Celsius, with Churu in Rajasthan recording the lowest.
In Haryana, Hissar recorded a minimum temperature of 3.6°C, and Bhiwani dipped to 3.8°C. States such as Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand (West), and Madhya Pradesh have also been hit by the cold wave.
In Delhi, the cold wave has driven the homeless to seek refuge in night shelters.
“We have 16 to 17 people taking shelter here. They are provided with meals twice a day, tea, and first aid. If any illness is serious, we take them to the hospital. We also have rescue teams with ambulances,” said Manoj Rawat, a caretaker at one of the shelters.
The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has set up 235 pagoda tents to provide relief for the homeless.
Meanwhile, the city’s air quality remained in the ‘poor’ category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 209 at 7 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
An AQI between 201-300 is classified as ‘poor,’ indicating potential health impacts for sensitive groups.
In Srinagar, the temperature dipped below zero, with the city recording -0.8°C at 8:30 am on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the region experienced a maximum temperature of 10°C and a minimum of -2°C, under partly cloudy skies.
Shimla and other hill towns in North India are also grappling with cold conditions following a fresh spell of snowfall, making daily life difficult for residents.
(With inputs from ANI)