Chandigarh: Punjab and Haryana are experiencing a sharp drop in temperatures, with several cities reporting unseasonably cold conditions on Thursday. Faridkot emerged as the coldest spot in the region, with the mercury plunging to 4.3 degrees Celsius.
Dense fog has also settled over many areas, reducing visibility and disrupting normal movement in parts of both states. According to the local meteorological department, Amritsar recorded a low of 5.7 degrees Celsius, slightly above the season’s average by about two degrees. Ludhiana and Patiala both recorded 6.4 degrees Celsius, while Pathankot logged 6.7 degrees Celsius. Bathinda and Gurdaspur reported minimum temperatures of 5.6 and 5.5 degrees Celsius, respectively.
The joint capital, Chandigarh, also felt the chill, with the thermometer dropping to 6.9 degrees Celsius.
In Haryana, Ambala recorded a minimum of 7.9 degrees Celsius, roughly one degree above normal. Other parts of the state also saw temperatures dip significantly, with Hisar at 5.6 degrees Celsius, Karnal at 6.8, and Narnaul at 5 degrees Celsius. Rohtak, Bhiwani, and Sirsa registered lows of 6.8, 6, and 6.2 degrees Celsius, respectively.
The cold wave is expected to continue for the next few days, with residents advised to take precautions, particularly during early morning hours when temperatures are at their lowest.
