A thick blanket of fog engulfed New Delhi on Sunday as the city grappled with a cold spell. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded the minimum temperature at 12°C and issued warnings of thunderstorms and hail later in the day.
Visuals from iconic landmarks like India Gate revealed near-zero visibility, causing disruptions and prompting many to seek refuge in night shelters. Safdarjung night shelters provided relief to those struggling with the harsh weather.
Vegpal Singh, a local caretaker, shared that residents of the shelters were being provided with essential amenities, including meals and warm bedding.
“The people here receive two meals a day, proper bedding, and blankets. If anyone needs medical attention, we take them to AIIMS, which is nearby,” Singh said.
On January 11, light rain caused temperatures in Delhi to drop to 7.7°C. The current cold wave, combined with dense fog, has also impacted neighboring cities like Kanpur and Gwalior, which reported similar conditions.
In Kanpur, elderly residents were seen huddled around bonfires to stay warm. Local auto driver Raj Kumar highlighted the difficulties posed by the cold:
“We face problems getting to work because it’s so cold. Bonfires should at least be placed at roundabouts,” he said.
His colleague, Sunil Kumar Gupta, criticized the administration’s lack of response, stating, “The cold has created many problems, but the administration isn’t paying attention. What can we do? We are helpless.”
While no flight diversions or cancellations were reported at Indira Gandhi International Airport, the fog severely disrupted train services, causing significant delays.
According to IMD data, Delhi’s temperature on Saturday morning was recorded at 11°C, with no immediate signs of relief from the cold wave.
As the city braces for possible rain and hail, residents are urged to stay cautious and make use of available resources to combat the freezing conditions.
