Desk Correspondent , Delhi - Delhi recorded its coldest morning of the season on Saturday as the minimum temperature plummeted to 4.2 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This is several degrees below the seasonal average and marks a new record for the current winter. The sharp drop in temperature was accompanied by icy winds blowing from the snow-clad Himalayas, leaving residents across the National Capital Region (NCR) struggling with "bone-chilling" conditions.

The plummeting temperatures have been coupled with a thick blanket of fog that enveloped the city early in the morning, significantly reducing visibility. At the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, visibility dropped below 50 meters at dawn, leading to delays in several flight operations. Similarly, over a dozen trains arriving in Delhi were reported to be running late. The IMD has issued a 'Yellow Alert' for the next 48 hours, predicting that cold wave conditions and "dense to very dense" fog will persist, particularly during the late-night and early-morning hours.

Local authorities have stepped up efforts to assist the city's homeless population, increasing the capacity of night shelters and distributing blankets. Health experts have also issued advisories, particularly for the elderly and children, to avoid outdoor activities during early morning hours due to the combined risk of extreme cold and poor air quality. With no immediate relief in sight, Delhiites are bracing for an extended spell of "severe" winter weather as January enters its coldest phase.