New Delhi, December 11: Delhi recorded a further dip in temperature on Wednesday, with the mercury plunging to 5.6°C at 5:30 a.m., accompanied by a thin layer of fog blanketing parts of the city. As the cold wave grips the national capital, more homeless individuals are taking refuge in night shelters provided by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB).
Relief Efforts for the Homeless
Caretaker Manoj Rawat, managing one of the night shelters, shared that the number of occupants has risen due to the cold. “We now have 16 to 17 people staying here. They are provided with meals twice a day, tea, blankets, and first aid. If someone falls seriously ill, we ensure they are taken to a hospital. We also have rescue teams patrolling with ambulances,” Rawat said.
DUSIB has set up 235 pagoda tents across the city to provide warm shelter for the homeless as temperatures continue to drop.
Air Quality Remains ‘Poor’
While the cold weather persists, Delhi’s air quality remains in the ‘poor’ category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 209 at 7 a.m. on Wednesday.
- AQI Categories:
- 0-50: Good
- 51-100: Satisfactory
- 101-200: Moderate
- 201-300: Poor
- 301-400: Very Poor
- 401-500: Severe
A Delhi resident cycling early in the morning remarked, “For the last three to four days, the weather has changed in the capital, and the sky has been clear.”
Colder Nights Ahead
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts colder nights in Delhi, with the minimum temperature expected to drop further to 6°C by December 12. On Tuesday, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 8°C at 7 a.m.
Cold Wave in Other Regions
The cold wave has intensified across northern India:
- Jammu and Kashmir: Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -0.8°C at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, with the previous day’s range between a maximum of 10°C and a minimum of -2°C under partly cloudy skies.
- Himachal Pradesh: Shimla and surrounding hill towns experienced a fresh spell of snowfall, creating icy conditions that have disrupted daily routines for residents.