The national Capital continued to reel under a cold wave on Thursday as the city experienced the coldest morning this season with mercury dropping further to 2 degrees Celsius at various places from Wednesday’s 4 degrees Celsius.
At the Safdarjung observatory, the temperature stood at 3.4 degrees Celsius, four notches below the season’s average, while at lodhi Road the temperature recorded was at 2 degrees Celsius, said an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official.
The temperature at Safdarjung is considered the official reading for the city.
The temperatures recorded at various places were 4.4 degrees at Palam, 4.9 degrees at Aya Nagar and 5.5 degrees Celsius at Delhi Ridge observatory, said the official.
Since January 7, the mercury has been dipping steadily and has dropped more than 10 degrees in just five days as the cold wave engulfed several regions of north India.
The weather office also said the cold wave like situation will continue in Delhi at least till Sunday and the minimum and maximum temperatures may increase after January 15. The maximum temperature of the day was likely to hover around 17 degrees Celsius. Humidity at 8.30 am was 100 per cent with the visibility recorded up to 800 metres.
Wednesday’s maximum temperature was recorded 17.2 degrees Celsius while the minimum settled at 4 degrees Celsius, both three notches below the season’s average.
A total of 26 trains were running late due to the dense fog in adjoining areas of Delhi and other parts of Northern India.
“Eight trains had to be rescheduled while seven trains have been cancelled due to the fog,” said an official statement.