The minimum temperature in the nation’s capital, 7.8 degrees Celsius, was recorded on Thursday amid the bitter cold that pervaded the entire North Indian belt, according to the India Metrological Department (IMD). The national weather forecasting organization had earlier on Wednesday predicted that during the next three days, the minimum temperature in Northern India would probably rise by two to three degrees Celsius. Even though the temperature continued to drop on Thursday, fog covered the nation’s capital.
Amid the sharp chill, locals were spotted huddling around fires and sipping hot cups of tea at a roadside stall at New Delhi Railway Station.
Speaking on Thursday, Mahesh Kumar, an autorickshaw driver from Bihar, said the prevailing cold weather was affecting their daily chores.
“Passengers are few and far between these days because of the cold. The chill makes us stay put inside our vehicles for the better part of the day,” Kumar said, adding that they do most of their trips through the night till the crack of dawn when the cold is, perhaps, at its worst.
Another city resident, Muzamil, said, “We stepped out to binge on snacks and drink piping hot tea to keep ourselves warm. This is the only way to beat the cold.”
Junaid, a regular bus passenger, said, “I am here to take hot tea amid the bone-chilling cold in the national capital.”