New Delhi/IBNS: A cold wave, predicted to hit Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) next week, will bring down the temperatures to as low as 3 degrees Celcius.

The minimum temperature in Delhi on Friday was 10.2 degrees Celsius.

Severe chills could be experienced in the region between Jan 14 and 19 and are likely to be at their peak from Jan 16 to 18, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted.

After bone-chilling nights for the past several weeks, the IMD prediction means that things could get worse for Delhi residents.

The IMD has warned people of frostbite, asking them to avoid outdoor activities.

"Eat vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables and drink sufficient warm fluids to maintain adequate immunity. Avoid or limit outdoor activities," the IMD said in its advisory.

Another weather agency, Skymet, has said that icy cold winds from the North have already led to a drop in temperatures in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

However, the agency refuted an expert's claims who had predicted that the temperatures in Delhi could dip as far as -4 degrees Celsius next week.

"Delhi may witness a minimum of 3-4 degrees between 16 and 18 Jan but won't go below 0 degrees in any way. Isolated pockets may witness a minimum around 2 degrees," Skymet said in a tweet.

The extremely low temperatures are expected to hit the homeless and animals the hardest, and authorities have already started setting up more shelter homes.