As the winter chill settles in across Lucknow, temperatures are expected to dip even further. The city recorded a minimum of 12°C on Tuesday, and the mercury is forecast to drop below 10°C in the coming days. On Wednesday, the weather is expected to remain similar, with temperatures ranging from 27.3°C during the day to 16°C at night.

However, the cold winds are set to intensify ahead, making the chill feel even more biting, especially during the early mornings and late evenings.

As the chill deepens, Lucknow is also grappling with a surge in air pollution. The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) has worsened, reaching the 'very poor' category with levels exceeding 270, further complicating the situation and creating health risks, particularly for those already vulnerable to the cold.

In response to the plunging temperatures, District Magistrate Vishakh G. Iyer has ordered immediate action to ensure that 25 permanent and 40 temporary night shelters across the city are fully operational. These shelters will be equipped with essential facilities like beds, blankets, clean water, and proper lighting. The DM emphasised that no poor or needy person should have to spend the night in the cold outdoors, reinforcing the city’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable residents during this cold snap.