Delhi shivers as mercury dips to 9°C, trains delayed, fog alert issued

Delhi: In a bone-chilling start to the New Year, Delhi witnessed a cold wave and dense fog, with the minimum temperature hitting 9°C, as reported by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Locals, grappling with the harsh conditions, appealed to authorities to provide additional night shelters for the homeless. Huddled around makeshift bonfires, people voiced the need for more accessible facilities as existing shelters are often distant, making it challenging for many to reach them. With the IMD warning of 'dense fog' in the first week of 2024, residents anticipate a challenging winter, prompting calls for enhanced support and provisions.

"People living on sidewalks are bearing the brunt of the prevailing cold wave in the national capital," shared a resident, highlighting the difficulties faced by those navigating to night shelters. "We had a lot of trouble spending the night in this cold," expressed another resident, emphasising the added challenges of the bone-chilling winter.

The IMD's forecast suggests 'dense fog' in the upcoming week, with minimum temperatures expected to range between 8 and 9°C. Dense fog has already disrupted train schedules, leading to delays, especially for trains bound for Anand Vihar, Nizamuddin, and New Delhi stations. Passengers shared their experiences, citing thick fog causing delays.


"A 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," reported a passenger.

As the cold wave persists, residents hope for increased support and measures to ease the challenges faced by those exposed to the biting cold. The need for accessible night shelters and timely information about weather conditions remains crucial to ensuring the well-being of Delhi's population during the winter months.

Inputs from ANI