Ludhiana, the industrial powerhouse of Punjab, is grappling with an intense winter spell, recording its coldest day in two years this Wednesday. The city's maximum temperature struggled to climb above a mere 11.2 degrees Celsius, marking a severe departure from seasonal norms and plunging daily life into a chilly crisis.
Record-Breaking Chill Grips Industrial Hub
The daytime high of 11.2°C on Wednesday stands as the lowest maximum temperature Ludhiana has witnessed since January 2024, when the mercury had touched 9°C. This intense chill has even surpassed the coldest day recorded earlier in 2025, which saw a high of 13.2°C. Officials from the Meteorological Department noted that the maximum temperature hovered nearly six degrees below the seasonal average, a significant drop attributed to a thick, persistent blanket of fog and a glaring lack of sunlight.
While Ludhiana shivered, other parts of Punjab also felt the bite. Fazilka district recorded the state's lowest temperature at 10°C, followed closely by Amritsar at 10.4°C. Interestingly, despite the record daytime chill, Ludhiana's overnight minimum temperature was slightly milder than usual, settling at 6.6°C.
Life and Livelihood Disrupted by Dense Fog
The city has been brought to a near-standstill on multiple days, with thick fog severely restricting movement on Monday and Wednesday. Visibility dropped to as low as 500 meters during peak morning and evening hours, causing major disruptions. The adverse weather has compounded problems for residents, many of whom reported prolonged power outages, particularly in areas like Dugri, leaving them unable to use essential heating systems.
"The severe cold, coupled with the lack of electricity, made it impossible to keep the house warm," shared Gurjot Kaur, a local resident. "I've had to keep the children indoors all day." The situation led to widespread inconvenience, with many assignments and daily routines across the city being cancelled or postponed.
Weather Warnings and the Week Ahead
The Met Department has issued stern warnings, stating that these "spine-chilling" conditions are set to persist. They have escalated alerts, issuing an orange alert for Thursday and a yellow alert for Friday, signalling the likelihood of dense to very dense fog. While a slight recovery in daytime temperatures is predicted, with readings expected to rise to around 15°C by Friday, the relief may be short-lived.
The forecast indicates that night-time temperatures are poised to drop further, potentially hitting a low of 4°C by Saturday. This suggests that the "bone-chilling" cold wave is far from over, and residents of Ludhiana and surrounding regions must brace for continued harsh conditions in the coming days.
