CHANDIGARH/BATHINDA, JAN 12 – A relentless cold wave tightened its grip on Punjab this Sunday, with temperatures in several districts nearing the freezing point. Bathinda emerged as the coldest city in the state, recording a minimum temperature of 1.6 degrees Celsius, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted the extreme conditions will persist for several days.
The sharp drop in mercury was accompanied by thick morning fog that significantly reduced visibility across the region. According to the latest IMD bulletin, “Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are very likely to continue over Punjab on January 12-13.”
The chill was felt across the border belt and central Punjab alike. Amritsar recorded a low of 3.2 degrees Celsius, while Faridkot reeled at 2.9 degrees. Other major cities also saw a significant dip, with Ludhiana at 4.6 degrees and both Patiala and Gurdaspur registering 3.8 degrees Celsius.
Chandigarh, the joint capital, was not spared the biting cold, recording a minimum of 5 degrees Celsius. Weather officials noted that the region is currently experiencing one of its harshest spells this season. “Dense fog conditions are very likely to continue during morning hours over northwest India during the next five days,” the weather office stated, advising commuters to exercise caution on the highways.
