India, Dec. 31 -- The Capital recorded its coldest December day in six years on Wednesday, ending the year under a heavy winter pall marked by biting cold, dense fog, and a haze of pollution -its seasonal companions.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi experienced "cold day" to "severe cold day" conditions as maximum temperature dropped dramatically on Wednesday, registering at 14.2degC, more than 6degC below normal and over 7degC from the 21.5degC a day earlier. The last time Delhi had a lower maximum in this month was 2019 when it was 13.3degC on December 29.

Under IMD's classification, a "cold day" is when the minimum temperature drops below 10degC and the maximum temperature is 4.5degC or lower than normal....