Cold Wave Grips Delhi, Night Shelters Offer Respite Amid Harsh Weather

IMD issues cold wave alert as temperatures dip to 5°C in Delhi; shelters provide warmth, food, and medical support to the city’s vulnerable.

New Delhi, December 16: With a severe cold wave sweeping across Delhi, night shelters have become a vital refuge for the city’s homeless, providing food, warmth, and a place to sleep as temperatures plummet to 5°C. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued cold wave warnings for Delhi and other northern states, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.

The IMD forecasts dense fog to shroud certain areas for the next three days, compounding the challenges faced by those without access to proper shelter. Night shelters across the capital, however, are stepping up to provide essential services to those in need.

Night Shelters Bring Relief

At a shelter near AIIMS Delhi, caretaker Vicky Kanojia explained the support extended to vulnerable individuals, particularly those recovering from illnesses or injuries without a support system.

“This is a night and recovery shelter. Anyone destitute, on the road, or discharged from the hospital without care can come here for recovery. We provide them with an ambulance service, medicines, food, tea in the morning, and meals twice a day. They also get beds and blankets,” Kanojia said.

Sabho, who has been staying at a shelter for eight years with her two children, praised the facilities. “We get food, water, blankets, and access to bathrooms. This shelter has helped us survive the cold for many years,” she shared.

Rishi Kumar Mehta, a caretaker at a Sarai Kale Khan shelter, emphasized the availability of individual beds, blankets, and daily food supplies. “We ensure everyone has their own space. For medical needs, there’s a nearby mohalla clinic, and in serious cases, we arrange transport to AIIMS,” he added.

Struggles of the Unsheltered

While night shelters offer solace to some, others are left to brave the elements. Mukesh, who spends his nights near Old Delhi railway station, described the harsh reality of staying warm with limited resources.

“We light fires to warm our hands, but it’s hard to sleep without proper shelter. I get through the night somehow, but it’s difficult,” Mukesh said.

Pradeep, another individual near the station, shared his struggle: “I sleep on the tracks and try to keep warm. Work isn’t as good as it used to be, but we keep going. The cold is tough, but I have no other option.”

As temperatures continue to drop, the plight of Delhi’s homeless highlights the pressing need for expanded shelter facilities and support services. For many, these shelters are a lifeline in surviving the city’s harsh winters.