Gurgaon: The city recorded its lowest temperature of the season on Wednesday, with the mercury dropping to 6.2 degrees Celsius — 1.6 degrees below normal and nearly two notches below Tuesday's 8 degrees, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Before this, Monday saw the season's lowest minimum temperature at 7.4 degrees Celsius.
The Met department also predicted a further drop in temperatures, issuing a ‘yellow alert' for cold waves from Dec 11 to Dec 15.
"A western disturbance over the northern Himalayas from Dec 11 will bring chills from the snow-clad mountains following which cold day conditions are likely to be witnessed," said an IMD scientist.
With sunshine bringing respite for residents from the chilly morning hours, the maximum temperature on Wednesday was recorded at 21 degrees Celsius, 2.8 notches below normal. It was 20.9 degrees Celsius the previous day.
IMD categorises a day as ‘cold' when the maximum temperature is 4.5 degrees Celsius below normal and ‘severely cold' when the maximum temperature plunges below normal by 6.5 degrees or more. A cold wave is considered when the minimum temperature dips below the normal by four degrees or more, or when the minimum temperature is less than four degrees Celsius.
Doctors cautioned that extreme cold can adversely affect vulnerable populations. Dr Diksha Goyal, senior consultant of internal medicine at Marengo Asia Hospital, said, "It is imperative to pay attention to health risks because the waves and low temperatures are approaching 10 degrees or less. Air pollution and haze increase respiratory ailments during winter. Almost 70-80% of outpatients suffer from some kind of respiratory illness. Women in pregnancy must be available in the sunlit periods wearing masks and eye protection. Warm fluids such as honey and lemon water, combined with a nutritious diet, can help bolster the immune system."
"Colds also heighten the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with hypertension or high blood pressure. Avoid outdoor exercise and be vigilant about symptoms of stroke, for example, slurred speech and weakness in your limbs. Long-term exposure to colds causes hypothermia, which can impede brain functions and thus lead to neurological issues. Weakness is another concern because the freezing temperature damages the skin and the tissue, interfering with blood circulation and increasing the risk of cardiovascular problems. To stay warm, drink warm fluids, include ghee, winter vegetables, and spices in your diet, exercise indoors, layer up, avoid alcohol, and consume iron and vitamin B12-rich foods," said Goyal.
Gurgaon: The city recorded its lowest temperature of the season on Wednesday, with the mercury dropping to 6.2 degrees Celsius — 1.6 degrees below normal and nearly two notches below Tuesday's 8 degrees, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Before this, Monday saw the season's lowest minimum temperature at 7.4 degrees Celsius.
The Met department also predicted a further drop in temperatures, issuing a ‘yellow alert' for cold waves from Dec 11 to Dec 15.
"A western disturbance over the northern Himalayas from Dec 11 will bring chills from the snow-clad mountains following which cold day conditions are likely to be witnessed," said an IMD scientist.
With sunshine bringing respite for residents from the chilly morning hours, the maximum temperature on Wednesday was recorded at 21 degrees Celsius, 2.8 notches below normal. It was 20.9 degrees Celsius the previous day.
IMD categorises a day as ‘cold' when the maximum temperature is 4.5 degrees Celsius below normal and ‘severely cold' when the maximum temperature plunges below normal by 6.5 degrees or more. A cold wave is considered when the minimum temperature dips below the normal by four degrees or more, or when the minimum temperature is less than four degrees Celsius.
Doctors cautioned that extreme cold can adversely affect vulnerable populations. Dr Diksha Goyal, senior consultant of internal medicine at Marengo Asia Hospital, said, "It is imperative to pay attention to health risks because the waves and low temperatures are approaching 10 degrees or less. Air pollution and haze increase respiratory ailments during winter. Almost 70-80% of outpatients suffer from some kind of respiratory illness. Women in pregnancy must be available in the sunlit periods wearing masks and eye protection. Warm fluids such as honey and lemon water, combined with a nutritious diet, can help bolster the immune system."
"Colds also heighten the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with hypertension or high blood pressure. Avoid outdoor exercise and be vigilant about symptoms of stroke, for example, slurred speech and weakness in your limbs. Long-term exposure to colds causes hypothermia, which can impede brain functions and thus lead to neurological issues. Weakness is another concern because the freezing temperature damages the skin and the tissue, interfering with blood circulation and increasing the risk of cardiovascular problems. To stay warm, drink warm fluids, include ghee, winter vegetables, and spices in your diet, exercise indoors, layer up, avoid alcohol, and consume iron and vitamin B12-rich foods," said Goyal.