New Delhi, Nov. 9 -- Chilly winds on Sunday signalled the onset of cold wave conditions in the national capital, with the mercury plunging to 11degC - about 3.3 degrees below normal. Forecasts suggest that the minimum temperature will dip further in the coming days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its latest bulletin, reported that night temperatures across several parts of Delhi are 2degC to 4degC below normal.

According to weather officials, the fall in temperature is driven by clear skies and cold north-westerly winds blowing from the Himalayas. These conditions allow heat to escape rapidly after sunset, leading to colder nights.

"The chill is due to the effect of north-westerly winds coming from the mountains. The impa...