Chandigarh: After days of biting cold, Punjab and Haryana witnessed a marginal increase in minimum temperatures over the past 48 hours, though conditions remain harsh across large parts of both states. Meteorological officials said that despite the slight uptick, night temperatures are still staying below seasonal averages in many districts.
Dense fog continued to blanket several areas during the early morning hours, affecting visibility and intensifying the chill. Cold wave conditions have persisted, particularly in interior regions.
In Haryana, Narnaul remained the coldest location, recording a minimum temperature of 3°C. The town had earlier witnessed even lower readings of 1.5°C and 2°C on the preceding two days, according to the Meteorological Department. Other parts of the state also experienced cold nights, with Ambala recording a minimum of 5.8°C and Hisar settling at 5.6°C, both around a degree below normal. Hisar had faced extreme cold earlier in the week when temperatures dipped close to the freezing mark.
Karnal registered a low of 4.9°C, nearly two degrees below the average, while Rohtak reported a minimum of 5.4°C. Chandigarh, which serves as the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, recorded a minimum temperature of 6°C, slightly lower than the normal range.
Punjab also continued to reel under cold conditions, though temperatures edged up slightly. Amritsar emerged as the coldest city in the state with a minimum of 4.4°C. Ludhiana recorded 5.8°C, while Patiala saw its lowest temperature settle at 6.4°C.
Other districts such as Bathinda, Faridkot and Gurdaspur reported minimum temperatures of 5°C, 5.5°C and 5°C respectively. Bathinda, which had experienced sub-3°C readings earlier in the week, showed a modest rise but remained firmly in the grip of winter chill.
Weather officials said foggy mornings and cold nights are likely to continue in the coming days, even as temperatures show minor fluctuations. Residents have been advised to remain cautious during early hours, especially while commuting, due to reduced visibility.
