City Shivers as Historic Low Temperatures Recorded!

The city continues to reel under a bone-chilling spell, witnessing yet another historic low for maximum temperature on Thursday. It was the coldest January 4 day since 1970, when weather data collection began. With a maximum temperature of 9.4° C and a minimum of 5.6° C, the day's temperatures remained nearly 8 degrees below the normal average for the first week of January of 17.4° C. The city has experienced almost zero sunshine hours in the past four days, compounding the harshness of winter.

Historical Cold Spell and Disruption of Daily Life

The last time Ludhiana recorded such low maximum temperatures on January 4 was in the year 2000, with a reading of 10.4° C. Meteorological experts predict no relief for at least another three days, with dense to very dense fog and cold wave conditions expected to persist. An orange alert has been issued until January 6, cautioning residents to stay vigilant against severe weather conditions.

Impact on Chandigarh and Neighboring Districts

The minimum temperature of Chandigarh fell further to 4.9°C on Friday, marking the season's first dip below the 5°C threshold. Visibility disruptions due to dense fog led to the cancellation of flights, and similar conditions are expected over the weekend. Other districts such as Ambala, Karnal, and Amritsar also reported poor visibility and low temperatures, affecting travel and daily activities.

Travel Disruptions and Safety Advisories

With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an orange alert for Saturday, residents are advised to prepare for cold day conditions and dense fog. The second-highest level of alert requires people to stay alert and take necessary precautions. Flight cancellations have already impacted travel plans, with four flights from Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Chandigarh to Pune, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata being cancelled due to poor visibility.

In conclusion, the current cold wave has brought the city and neighboring regions to a standstill, with historic temperature lows and dense fog affecting daily life and travel. Residents are urged to heed weather advisories and stay prepared for continued cold conditions. The situation serves as a reminder of the powerful impact of weather on human activities and the importance of being well-informed and ready to face such extreme conditions.