December 11, 2024: On Wednesday, Delhi experienced a further dip in temperature, with the mercury dropping to 5.6 degrees Celsius at 5:30 am, marking another cold morning in the national capital. The chill was compounded by a thin layer of fog that covered parts of the city, reducing visibility. As the temperature continues to stay in the single digits, more homeless people have sought refuge in night shelters across Delhi.
The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has set up 235 pagoda tents to provide shelter for those in need. At these shelters, people are provided with essential services including beds, blankets, meals (two times a day), tea, and access to first aid. “Now we have 16 to 17 people taking shelter here. They are provided with meals, and if they fall ill, we have a first aid box. For serious conditions, we take them to the hospital. We also have rescue teams on standby with ambulances,” said Manoj Rawat, a caretaker at one of the shelters.
As the cold intensifies, the air quality in Delhi remained in the ‘poor’ category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 209 at 7 am on Wednesday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The AQI level indicates the air quality is poor, posing health risks, especially to sensitive individuals. AQI readings between 201 and 300 are classified as “poor,” while readings between 301 and 400 are “very poor.”
In addition to the chill in Delhi, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted even colder nights ahead, with the minimum temperature expected to drop to 6°C by December 12. This has prompted warnings about the continued impact of cold weather on vulnerable populations and air quality.
The winter chill is also being felt in other parts of North India. In Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar recorded a low of -0.8°C at 8:30 am on Wednesday. The region has experienced a mix of cold temperatures and partly cloudy skies, with the temperature dipping to -2°C on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, the hill town of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh is grappling with a cold wave, worsened by a fresh spell of snowfall. The icy conditions have disrupted daily routines, adding to the difficulties faced by residents.
As the cold wave continues across northern India, authorities are taking necessary measures to provide shelter and care to those most affected, while residents are bracing for more chilly nights ahead.
