Today, on December 15, Delhi’s minimum temperature was recorded at 4.9 degrees Celsius — which makes it colder than Shimla which recorded a minimum temperature of 6.8 degrees Celsius this morning. The national capital is known for it harsh winters and thousands of informal workers who are a vital part of its economy, are often seen sleeping on the road-side, pavements and dividers on chilly nights.

In this photo essay, Gaon Connection documents the daily struggles of such workers who are often seen huddled up around a fire to keep themselves warm. The cold wave conditions make it difficult for the underprivileged sections of the population to survive the winters and news reports of people dying due to extreme cold are tragically an annual affair.

Here are some photographs documenting the plight of the workers in Delhi:

Workers who load milk packets on trays are seen sleeping in Old Delhi area.

Many workers arrange a fire at roadsides to provide them with warmth to face the winter chill.

It is not just pavements and roadside where the Delhi’s poor sleep. They often resort to sleeping on the dividers which endangers their life.

Rickshaw pullers often burn wood, plastic bags and paper to keep themselves warm in the winters.

These fires are often a hotspot for gatherings and gossiping after a laborious day. 

The rickshaw pullers often sleep beside their rickshaws to keep their source of livelihood safe at night.

As seen in this photograph, two autorickshaw drivers are seen basking in heat from a small fire that they have arranged at their auto-stand.

A man is seen sleeping under a bridge in Old Delhi