Pune shivers at 10-year low of 7.7°C; child ICU cases rise amid cold wave

• Pune recorded its coldest December day in 10 years, with temperatures dropping to 7.7 degrees Celsius.
• The record low temperatures were 7.7°C at Pashan and 7.9°C at Shivajinagar.
• A surge in respiratory illnesses, including mycoplasma infection (walking pneumonia), has been reported in children and the elderly, with many children in ICU.
• A cold wave alert has been issued for Central Maharashtra and Marathwada until December 12-13, attributed to north-westerly winds and La Niña.

Why It Matters: Record cold in Pune leads to a surge in respiratory illnesses, hospitalizing children.