Delhiites woke up to the coldest morning yet this winter as the mercury plunged to a bone-chilling 6.2 degrees Celsius on Thursday. That marks the lowest minimum temperature recorded in the capital so far this season.
Over the past week, night temperatures have been dropping sharply across North India, heralding the onset of peak winter. Delhi too has witnessed the minimum settled at 6.5°C and 6.8°C earlier this week after curiosingly warmer temperatures last week.
But Thursday’s frigid 6.2°C reading sets a new 2022-23 low for the city. It was logged at 8:30 AM along with dense fog that reduced visibility during early morning hours.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the cold spell to intensify over the next two days as well. Minimums are expected to range from 6°C to 7°C, with maximums struggling to touch 24°C.
Delhi’s air quality index also deteriorated into the ‘very poor’ category amid low wind speeds and dipping mercury. The added winter smog poses respiratory risks for citizens venturing outdoors.
Authorities have ramped up preparations to support the homeless and other vulnerable sections as peak cold waves arrive. But most Delhi residents will simply be reaching for their fleece blankets and preparing hot beverages after experiencing the bitter 6.2°C chill on Thursday morning.
For a city used to harsh winter extremes, this early season record low comes as a sign of the bone-numbing conditions ahead over January and February.
