Freezing cold grips Punjab, Haryana

Punjab and Haryana reeled under freezing cold conditions today with the mercury hovering well below normal level in most areas even as a thick cover of fog engulfed the region, affecting normal life.
The minimum temperature in most areas dropped to several notches below normal. Foggy weather prevailed in the region early today disrupting normal life and affecting air, rail and road traffic.
Piercing cold wave swept the Union Territory of Chandigarh, where the minimum temperature settled at 3.2 degrees Celsius, three notches below normal, the MeT Department said here.
There was no relief from biting cold conditions even during the day for Chandigarh residents as icy cold winds restricted the maximum temperature to 13.7 degrees Celsius, six notches below normal.

Adding to the intensity of the ongoing cold wave, the maximum temperatures in most parts of Punjab and Haryana have also dropped sharply in the past one week.
In Haryana, Ambala recorded a minimum temperature of 4.5 degrees Celsius, two notches below normal, while the day temperature in the town yesterday settled at 12.3 deg C.

Hisar recorded its minimum at 4.4 degrees Celsius, three degrees below normal, followed by Naraul 3.4 degrees Celsius and Karnal 3 degrees Celsius.
Amritsar in Punjab reeled under severe chill with the city recording a low of 3.5 degrees Celsius. There was no relief for the residents of Ludhiana and Patiala, with both towns recording below normal minimum temperatures of 4.6 and 6.5 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Yesterday, severe chill gripped Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala during day-time and all the three towns recorded identical maximum temperature of 10 degrees Celsius.
The MeT department, in its forecast, has said dry weather conditions are likely to prevail until tomorrow across Punjab and Haryana while foggy weather is also likely to prevail at some places in early morning and late evening hours.