Cold wave tightens grip on north India, Delhi shivers in dense fog

As the cold wave tightened its grip on North India the national capital woke up to an even colder morning accompanied by dense fog on Monday reported news agency ANIThe temperature in Delhi on Monday morning was recorded at 94 degrees Celsius according to the India Meteorological Department IMDVisibility dropped to 125 meters in several parts of Delhi and most parts of the National Capital Region NCR also experienced low visibility reported ANIOn Sunday the minimum temperature had settled at 91 degrees CelsiusDue to the chilling cold many sought refuge at night shelters in various parts of the national capitalSimilar scenes unfolded elsewhere with locals gathering near fires in the Lodhi Road area to seek comfort reported ANIVisuals from Lodhi Road Munirka RK Puram and Ring Road near AIIMS depicted a thick layer of fog hanging overhead with only a few vehicles and commuters venturing out into the streets reported ANIAdditionally Delhis air quality on Monday remained in the very poor category with the Air Quality Index AQI hovering around 400 according to data provided by the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB reported ANIAn AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good 51 and 100 satisfactory 101 and 200 moderate 201 and 300 poor 301 and 400 very poor 401 and 450 severe and above 450 severeplusIn response to the prevailing conditions all nonessential construction work has been banned in the DelhiNational Capital RegionMeanwhile minimum temperatures continued to decline in most parts of Kashmir for a second consecutive night even as dense fog disrupted daily life in the Valley early on Monday officials said reported PTISrinagar Jammu and Kashmirs summer capital recorded a low of minus 23 degrees Celsius a slight decrease from the previous nights minus 21 degrees they saidPahalgam in south Kashmirs Anantnag district which serves as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra recorded a minimum temperature of minus 43 degrees Celsius down from the previous nights minus 39 degrees Celsius reported PTIAccording to the officials Pahalgam was the coldest place in the Kashmir Valley reported PTIGulmarg the famous ski resort in Baramulla district recorded a low of minus 26 degrees Celsius the officials said reported PTIWith inputs from ANI and PTI