Chill persists in Delhi, primary schools to remain closed till Feb 2

New Delhi, Jan 29 (UNI) The severe chill sweeping Delhi for the last couple of days persisted today even as the mercury rose slightly to 5.3 degree Celsius.

Though a cloud cover over the capital today led to a rise in minimum temperature to 5.3 degree Celsius, cold Northwesterly winds left Delhiites shivering for the second consecutive day.

The minimum of 5.3 degree C was three degrees below normal.

With the cold wave persisting, the Delhi Government today ordered closure of all primary schools in Delhi till February 2.

In a press conference at the Delhi Secretariat, Delhi Education Minister Aravinder Singh said, ''all primary schools in Delhi will remain closed from tomorrow till February 2 due to the cold wave in Delhi.'' Mr Singh said the order would apply to Government and private schools in the city.

''Schools not adhering to the order will be severely penalised,'' the Minister said.

The ongoing chill is likely to persist for the next couple of days with the weatherman forecasting a continuance of Northwesterlies over the city in the coming days.

It forecast a drop in minimum temperature with 5 degrees Celsius tomorrow.

The Met office has forecast a partly cloudy sky in Delhi during the next 24 hours.

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