The industrial city of Ludhiana has emerged as the coldest spot in Punjab, recording a chilling minimum temperature of 7.2 degrees Celsius. This sharp dip has prompted the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an orange alert for the region, warning of very dense fog that is expected to disrupt daily life and travel for the next four days.
Visibility Plummets, Disrupting Commute
The impact of the dense fog was acutely felt by commuters on Monday morning. At 8:30 am, visibility drastically fell to a mere 50 metres, creating hazardous conditions on the roads. While sunlight provided some respite by afternoon, improving visibility to 2,000 metres by 2:30 pm, the fog made a swift comeback by evening, reducing visibility again to around 1,000 metres.
Sharp Contrast Between Day and Night Temperatures
Meteorologists noted a significant contrast between day and night temperatures. While the daytime maximum temperature reached a relatively comfortable 21.8°C, which is 2.1 degrees above the seasonal average, the nights have turned bitterly cold. Ludhiana's low of 7.2°C was notably lower than neighbouring districts. For comparison, Amritsar recorded a minimum of 9.7°C and Patiala saw 9.4°C on the same day.
Residents Adapt and Forecast Remains Grim
This stark temperature swing is forcing residents to adapt quickly. Naresh Kumar, a local resident, highlighted the challenge, stating that while days have seen slight improvement, nights require serious precautions. "I wear many layers of clothes to ensure my body doesn't get exposed to the cold, especially during the night," he said.
The weather office forecasts no immediate relief. Daytime temperatures are expected to fall further to around 18°C by Wednesday, while night temperatures are likely to hover near the 8°C mark for the next five days. The IMD's orange alert signifies that all government departments and the public must stay "updated and prepared" for the ongoing severe weather conditions throughout the week.
