Dense fog and very cold conditions prevailed in isolated areas of Haryana with the minimum temperature on Sunday going down to 12 degrees Celsius, marginally lower than 13.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The maximum temperature was recorded at 13.2 degree Celsius, 2.6 notches lower than the previous day.

Meanwhile, according to a statement of the Indian Meteorological Department, dense fog is expected on December 30 over several locations in Punjab and Haryana.

Cold wave conditions are likely from December 30 to January 3 over the two states as well. A decline of three to five degree Celsius in minimum temperatures is anticipated over the next 48 hours, with no substantial variation thereafter in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh.

“Cold-day-like conditions are likely at isolated places in Haryana. Winds from northwest, coming from the snow-clad mountains, are expected to further bring the temperature down. The maximum temperature may hover between 18 degrees Celsius and 19 degrees Celsius and the minimum may stay between 12 and 10 degrees Celsius,” IMD stated.

Moreover, in its advisory, IMD stressed on the implications prolonged exposure to fog may have on people’s health. They may experience wheezing, coughing and respiratory distress and may also experience ocular irritation or infection, IMD stated.

Fog intensity is categorized based on visibility — 'very dense' fog when visibility is under 50 metres, 'dense' fog when it is between 50m and 200m, 'moderate' fog between 200 and 500m, and 'shallow' fog between 500 and 1,000m, it stated.

Weather Clears but Cold Wave Persists in Himachal

Shimla: After two days of rain and snow, the weather cleared up in Himachal Pradesh on Sunday. However, there was no relief from the cold wave as the temperature remained below normal in most areas of the state.

Tabo in Lahaul Spiti was the coldest in the state with the night temperature dipping to -12.3 degrees Celsius. Manali shivered at a minimum of 0.2 degree Celsius, while Dalhousie recorded a low of 0.4 degrees Celsius. Kukumseri registered a minimum of -7 degrees Celsius, Narkanda -1.4 degrees Celsius, Kalpa -3.4 degrees Celsius, Palampur 2.5 degrees Celsius, Chamba 3.1 degrees Celsius, and Shimla 3.4 degrees Celsius.

As weather cleared up, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) started clearing roads of snow in Lahaul Spiti district of the State. The snow clearance work also began in other districts, including Kinnaur, Shimla, Kullu and Chamba.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, has predicted clear skies in the state from December 30 to January 1. There is a likelihood of light rain and snow at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh on January 2 and 3. The maximum temperature is also likely to rise by four to five degree Celsius during the next two days, stated the weatherman.

The Meteorological Department has also warned of severe fog in the areas near the Bhakra Dam reservoir in Bilaspur district and in the Balh valley of Mandi district.