The chilly grip of winter tightened its hold over Haryana and Punjab on Sunday as maximum temperatures plummeted up to nine notches below normal in numerous locations. The region also witnessed moderate to dense fog, hampering visibility in the morning.
According to the Meteorological Office, minimum temperatures remained below normal at various places, contributing to the biting cold wave. The capital city of Chandigarh recorded a maximum temperature of 9.4 degrees Celsius during the day, a substantial nine notches below the seasonal average. The minimum temperature in Chandigarh settled at 5.2 degrees Celsius.
Adjoining towns like Mohali in Punjab and Panchkula in Haryana experienced piercing cold, with maximum temperatures of 9.5 and 9.6 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Hisar in Haryana recorded a minimum temperature of 2.8 degrees Celsius, and the day was swept by severe cold as the maximum temperature settled at 11 degrees Celsius, marking a deviation of nine notches below normal.
Other cities in Haryana, including Ambala, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Sirsa, and Jhajjar, also grappled with intense cold, with maximum temperatures ranging from 10.3 to 12.1 degrees Celsius.
In Punjab, Amritsar shivered with a maximum temperature of 9.5 degrees Celsius, eight notches below normal. Patiala experienced severe cold, recording a maximum of 10.7 degrees Celsius, while Ludhiana, Pathankot, Ferozepur, and Faridkot reported temperatures ranging from 10.1 to 12.4 degrees Celsius.
During the night, Faridabad in Haryana recorded a minimum temperature of 3.5 degrees Celsius, Bhiwani at 3.9 degrees, and Jhajjar at 4.1 degrees Celsius. Fatehabad, Gurugram, and Rohtak reported minimum temperatures of 4.6 degrees Celsius each.
Patiala in Punjab registered a chilling minimum temperature of five degrees Celsius during the night, while Gurdaspur recorded 5.5 degrees Celsius.
Meteorological officials noted that moderate to dense fog significantly reduced visibility in the morning across most places in Punjab and Haryana. Residents are advised to brace for continued cold weather conditions in the coming days.