Chandigarh experienced one of its coldest mornings in nearly a decade as the temperature plunged to 2.8 degrees Celsius, marking the lowest minimum recorded in the city over the last nine years. The sharp fall in temperature brought a harsh winter chill, leaving residents struggling against biting winds and dense fog that covered the city through the early hours.
Streets across Chandigarh appeared unusually empty as people stayed indoors to escape the freezing conditions. Those who ventured out were seen wrapped in layers of woollens, while visibility remained low due to persistent fog. The sudden cold wave made daily routines difficult, especially for office-goers, schoolchildren, and elderly residents.
Homeless shelters in the city reported a noticeable increase in footfall as more people sought warmth and protection from the cold. Local authorities and social organisations stepped in to provide blankets, hot meals, and basic medical assistance. Citizens were advised to take extra precautions, particularly for children and senior citizens, as the intense cold increased the risk of illness.
The weather department attributed the cold wave to strong northerly winds combined with clear night skies, which allowed heat to escape rapidly from the ground. These conditions caused temperatures to dip sharply overnight and are expected to continue in the coming days, keeping the region under a prolonged spell of cold weather.
The cold wave was not limited to Chandigarh alone. Large parts of Punjab and Haryana also faced freezing conditions. In Punjab, Ballowal Saunkhri in SBS Nagar recorded a chilling zero degrees Celsius, making it one of the coldest places in the state. Bathinda saw a low of 1.6 degrees, while Ludhiana recorded 2.6 degrees. Patiala dropped to 3 degrees, Amritsar to 4.1 degrees, Faridkot to 2 degrees, and Hoshiarpur to 2.6 degrees, all reflecting the severity of the winter spell.
Haryana also remained under the grip of intense cold. Hisar recorded a minimum temperature of 1.5 degrees Celsius, while Narnaul dipped to 1.8 degrees. Karnal registered 2 degrees, Rohtak 3.8 degrees, Ambala 4.2 degrees, and Faridabad 4.3 degrees. Gurugram, which had earlier recorded an even lower temperature, saw a slight rise but still remained cold at 3.3 degrees.
Weather experts have warned that the cold wave is likely to persist, with chilly winds and foggy mornings expected to continue over the next few days. People have been advised to limit exposure to the cold, stay adequately warm, and remain alert to changing weather conditions.