The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe red alert for Ludhiana district, forecasting a harsh spell of very dense fog and a sharp drop in temperatures set to envelop the region over the weekend. This urgent warning comes as the city grapples with the season's coldest conditions, prompting authorities to advise extreme caution and residents to brace for a significant disruption to daily life.
IMD Issues Severe Weather Warnings
Following Ludhiana's coldest day of the season on Thursday, when the maximum temperature could only reach 14.4°C, the weather office has escalated its warning. While Friday offered a slight respite with sunshine nudging the daytime high to 15°C, the situation is predicted to worsen dramatically on Saturday. The IMD has upgraded the district's status to a red alert for January 20th, a directive for government agencies to take immediate action against hazardous weather.
For the subsequent three days, an orange alert will remain active, urging both authorities and the public to stay prepared for persistent and thick fog. Visibility, which had already reduced to around 500 meters during Friday's morning commute, is expected to deteriorate further as the fog intensifies. Interestingly, despite the daytime chill, Friday's night temperature was recorded at 10.4°C, which is about five degrees above the normal average for this time. However, meteorologists indicate this milder night trend is likely to reverse sharply.
Residents Adapt to the Biting Chill
For Ludhiana's residents, the brief afternoon sun provided little comfort against the penetrating Punjab winter. "Even when the sun came out, it didn't make much difference; the chill remains constant," shared local resident Dinesh Kumar. He confessed to planning a getaway to the warmer shores of Goa or Kerala to escape the ongoing freeze.
Across the city, the cold wave has fundamentally altered household routines. Homemaker Harpreet Kaur revealed that her family has turned to traditional comforts to battle the weather. "I've been frequently making ginger tea and coffee," Kaur stated. "My husband and children demand hot tea and pakodas whenever the weather turns like this," she added, highlighting a common domestic strategy to stay warm.
Preparedness and Outlook
With the red alert in force, the city's defense against the elements has visibly shifted to the home front. The collective strategy emphasizes staying indoors, wrapped in heavy blankets, with ample supplies of hot beverages and snacks like pakodas. The warning specifically highlights the threat to the Saturday commute, advising people to avoid non-essential travel if possible due to dangerously low visibility.
The IMD's alerts serve as a critical tool for disaster management teams to mobilize resources. The progression from a red to an orange alert suggests that while the peak of the severe conditions is expected on Saturday, the region will continue to experience challenging weather for several days, requiring sustained vigilance from everyone.
