Dense fog curtails transport services in Punjab, Haryana

Cold conditions prevailed in several parts of Punjab and Haryana with dense fog and mist affecting normal life and curtailing road, rail and air services in the two states.
Dense fog engulfed several parts of Punjab and Haryana reducing visibility to just few meters, the MeT office said here adding that besides, intense cold conditions prevailed in the region confining people indoors.
While many flights from Chandigarh airport to other destinations have been delayed, several trains criss-crossing the region including Shatabdi express, Unchahar express, Sampark Kranti express and Kalka-Barmer express were running hours behind schedule.
Motorists also faced a tough time as traffic is moving at a snail's pace on national highways due to reduced visibility in view of foggy weather in the region, officials said.

The minimum temperatures dropped by around 3 degrees Celsius in most parts of the region, intensifying the cold conditions and adding misery to the lives of the people.
Besides cold conditions and dense fog, tripping of power supply at a few places has added to the woes of the people in the region.

In the region that remained chilly, the minimum temperatures hovered between 1 to 5 degrees Celsius above normal.
While Patiala settled at a low of 10.8 degrees Celsius, however 4 notches above normal, the minimum at Chandigah was 10.6 degrees Celsius, 5 notches above normal.
Among other places, Ludhiana recorded a low temperature of 10.3 degrees Celsius (3 notches above normal) followed by 9.9 degrees Celsius at Ambala (3 notches below normal), 8.5 degrees Celsius at Hisar (2 notches above normal) and 7.5 degrees Celsius at Narnaul, two notches above normal.

The holy city of Amritsar in Punjab settled at a low of 4.4 degrees Celsius, which was one notch above normal.
The MeT has forecast foggy conditions and drop in temperatures in the region during the next 24 hours.