National Times Bureau :- A biting cold wave continued to tighten its grip over Punjab and large parts of north India, with the plains recording temperatures lower than several hill regions. Bathinda emerged as one of the coldest places in the state on Monday, with the minimum temperature plunging to 0.6 degrees Celsius, alarmingly close to the freezing point. The day temperature also remained nearly five degrees below normal, reflecting the intensity of the cold spell. Amritsar recorded a minimum temperature of 1.1 degrees Celsius, adding to the widespread chill across the region.
The severe cold was accompanied by dense fog, which significantly affected visibility and disrupted daily life in several districts. Cities such as Amritsar, Bathinda, Gurdaspur and Faridkot witnessed minimum temperatures dropping below two degrees Celsius. Visibility levels dipped to zero in Amritsar, while SBS Nagar recorded barely 10 metres. In Bathinda, Faridkot and Gurdaspur, visibility remained below 50 metres, whereas Patiala reported around 100 metres, causing difficulties for commuters and transport services.
The Meteorological Department has ruled out any immediate relief from the cold, warning that the next two to three days are likely to remain harsh. With Lohri and Makar Sankranti approaching, residents may have to celebrate the festivals amid intense cold and persistent fog. A red alert has been issued, cautioning that temperatures could fall further on Tuesday, with the cold wave expected to intensify and challenge previous records.
According to the department, there is a possibility of rainfall in some areas on January 17 and 18, which may provide partial relief from the prevailing dry cold conditions. Chandigarh Meteorological Centre Director Surinder Pal Singh said the absence of rain has contributed to the current dry cold wave. However, intermittent sunshine has started appearing in a few regions, which could lead to a gradual rise in daytime temperatures in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Health Department has issued an advisory urging people to remain cautious during the extreme weather. Health Minister Balbir Singh said the cold conditions were severe and could pose serious risks to vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, pregnant women and those suffering from chronic illnesses. He advised people to keep themselves adequately warm, avoid morning walks during peak cold hours and step out only when necessary, ensuring proper winter clothing is worn.
