NEW DELHI, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Cold intensified in Indian capital Tuesday after it received the winter's first rainfall late Monday evening that continued till night.
This was the first winter rains in the past two years, with the city getting no showers in 2015 and 2016.
The minimum temperature dipped to 13.8 degrees Celsius this morning, five notches below normal during daytime, according to the weather department.
"The skies will remain partial cloudy for the next 24 hours, with chances of on and off," said a weather official.
"Shallow fog and mist are expected to continue for at least two days after the rains cease, as moisture levels would be high. Winter chill is going to increase in the coming days once the north-westerly winds start blowing," he added.
However, the showers helped lower air pollution in the national capital where people have been gasping for fresh air.
"Generally, rains clear harmful pollutants from air. Particulate matter 2.5 levels came down to an extent. It hovered between very poor and severe quality in last two days," an official said.
