New Delhi, Jan 2 (IANS) It was the coldest day in 43 years in the national capital Wednesday with the maximum temperature settling at 9.8 degrees Celsius, 11 notches below what is the average for the season.
“It is the first time since 1969 that the maximum temperature has settled at 11 notches below average,” a Met department official told IANS.
The day started with heavy fog enveloping the capital, disrupting flight and train services.
While over 30 domestic flights were disrupted, over 40 trains were cancelled, said statements from Delhi International Airport Limited and Indian Railways, respectively.
The minimum temperature dipped to 4.8 degrees Celsius, two notches below average for the season, making it the coldest 24 hours in the capital.
“It is unbearably cold today (Wednesday). I cannot stop shivering,” said Sushil Kumar from Sheikh Sarai area in south Delhi.
The condition of the homeless became worse with icy winds in the biting cold. Street dwellers squatted around bonfires.
“I feel frozen. I have not seen such a cold day in the past decade,” said Mangu Ram, who spends nights under flyovers and in night shelters.
The New Year opened on a chilly note Tuesday with the capital experiencing the coldest day this season. The minimum temperature dipped to 4.8 degrees Celsius.
The Met department has forecast no respite from the bitter cold Thursday.
“There will be fog on Thursday morning and the maximum and minimum temperatures will be between 13 and 4 degrees Celsius, respectively,” said the official.
