Cold wave and dense fog grip Punjab, Chandigarh till January 7; Orange Alert issued
PTC Web Desk: Punjab and Chandigarh continue to reel under an intense cold wave and dense fog, with the situation expected to persist until January 7, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Nights are likely to turn even colder in the coming days. The weather department has issued an Orange Alert for fog and cold wave conditions till Friday, followed by a Yellow Alert for the subsequent period.
Parts of Punjab witnessed sudden weather disturbances over the last 24 hours. Thunderstorms were reported in Patiala, while Pathankot and Halwara also experienced stormy conditions. Dense fog engulfed areas such as Patiala and Adampur, where visibility dropped sharply to 60 metre.
Light rainfall was recorded at isolated locations. Despite a marginal rise in minimum temperatures, maximum temperatures remain 3.8°C below normal. The lowest maximum temperature in the state was recorded at 13.2°C in Faridkot, while Gurdaspur reported a minimum temperature of 4.8°C.
Snowfall in Higher Reaches of Himachal Pradesh
Meanwhile, snowfall was recorded in several high-altitude regions of Himachal Pradesh over the past 24 hours. Snow was reported in Koksar, Sissu, Rohtang Pass, Kunzum, Shinkula Pass, Baralacha Pass, Atal Tunnel Rohtang, and Solang.
Popular tourist locations, including Kufri, Narkanda, Jot, and Manimahesh also witnessed snowfall. Light rainfall was recorded in Una (2.2 mm) and Neri in Hamirpur (2.5 mm).
Cold wave to intensify from Saturday
The IMD has warned that severe cold conditions are likely to intensify from Saturday as a western disturbance becomes active. Cold winds, persistent fog and cold-day conditions are expected across several districts.
Very dense fog is likely in districts, including Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar, Moga, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Barnala, Mansa, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar, Patiala, SAS Nagar (Mohali), and Malerkotla.
Cold day and cold wave warnings
Cold-day conditions may prevail in Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala and Mohali. A cold wave is also likely in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar, Moga and Bathinda. Residents have been advised to exercise caution, especially during early morning and late evening hours.
Sharp temperature drop in Himachal
Shimla recorded a 5.4°C drop in maximum temperature, settling at 10.0°C. Kufri fell to 6.1°C, Kukumseri to 4.7°C, Manali to 9.4°C, and Nahan to 13.2°C after significant temperature declines.
December remains exceptionally dry
According to the IMD, Himachal Pradesh experienced 99% deficient rainfall in December, recording just 0.2 mm against a normal of 36.2 mm. Only Lahaul-Spiti saw 0.7 mm rainfall. This marks the first such dry December in 32 years, with similar conditions last recorded in 1993.
Weather forecast for Punjab
On January 3, very dense fog likely at isolated places across central and northern districts; dense fog and cold wave conditions in southern Punjab. Weather to remain dry.
On January 4, very dense fog and cold wave conditions expected in several districts, including Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Mohali. Dry weather to continue.
- PTC NEWS
