Delhi: Mercury at 9°C, Delhi Wakes Up to New Year’s Cold Wave and Dense Fog
On the first morning of the New Year, residents of the national capital were greeted by a biting cold wave and dense fog, setting the tone for an unusually chilly Monday. With the mercury dropping to a minimum of 9°C, as reported by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), locals found themselves urging authorities to take necessary measures for those seeking refuge from the cold in night shelters.
As the temperature plummeted, people braved the cold by gathering around makeshift bonfires, seeking solace in the warmth emanating from the leaping flames. Speaking to ANI, residents venturing out for early errands expressed concerns and called on the government to increase the number of shelters for those sleeping on the streets and the destitute facing the harsh winter.
“People living on sidewalks are bearing the brunt of the prevailing cold wave in the national capital. One has to travel a lot in the cold to reach the night shelters in the city. They are situated at a significant distance from each other. Not many can go there in this cold,” said a concerned resident.
Another individual shared their struggle, stating, “We had a lot of trouble spending the night in this cold. We collected some litter on the streets to light a bonfire. This bone-chilling winter has only added to our everyday woes.”
The IMD issued a ‘dense fog’ warning for the national capital in the first week of 2024, with the minimum temperature anticipated to fluctuate between 8 and 9°C. A satellite image posted on the official IMD handle on X highlighted a fog layer over several regions, including Delhi.
According to IMD classifications, ‘very dense’ fog occurs when visibility is between 0 and 50 meters, ‘dense’ fog ranges from 51 to 200 meters, ‘moderate’ between 201 and 500 meters, and ‘shallow’ between 501 and 1,000 meters. The ongoing dense fog across the North Indian belt led to delays in several trains heading to Delhi on New Year’s morning, affecting Anand Vihar, Nizamuddin, and New Delhi stations.
“Thick fog is prevailing in Varanasi because of which my train is running late. There’s been plenty of fog across North India over the last 3 to 4 days because of which several trains are running behind schedule. Otherwise, my train is seldom late,” shared a passenger affected by the delays.
As 2024 kicks off with a frosty start, the residents and authorities are grappling with the challenges posed by the harsh winter conditions in the national capital.
