New Delhi: A day after the new year began, Delhiites woke up to the coldest day of the season with the mercury plummeting to four degree Celsius Friday.

The maximum temperature also fell to 17.9 degree Celsius, four notches below the normal for this time of the year. The minimum temperature was three degree below normal.

Although a thick layer of fog engulfed the capital before dawn Friday, it cleared around 6 a.m. with the sun shining brightly.

“The north-westerly winds blowing over the northern India have brought the present spell of chill and will continue for a day or two more. The temperature next week is likely to increase as another set of western disturbances is moving in from the hills,” said an official at the Safdarjung Meteorological Office.

The weather department says Delhi is not facing a cold wave.

“The temperature for this time of the season is low compared to last year but we cannot call it a cold wave situation,” the official added.

The early morning fog delayed some of the international and domestic flights at Indira Gandhi International Airport but things improved as the day progressed.

Many inbound trains from Punjab, Jammu and the northeastern region were running several hours behind schedule.

 

Source : ians