Chandigarh, Jan 13: Chandigarh experienced its coldest night in nearly a decade on Tuesday as the minimum temperature plummeted to 2.8°C. This mark represents the lowest January temperature recorded in the city in nine years, intensifying the ongoing cold wave across Punjab and Haryana.
The plummeting mercury, accompanied by icy northerly winds and clear skies, led to deserted streets during the early hours. Local authorities reported a surge in occupancy at homeless shelters and issued advisories for the public to remain indoors where possible. The Meteorological Department confirmed that the city had not seen such low temperatures since January 2017, when the mercury touched 2.4°C.
“The current cold spell is attributed to the prevailing northerly winds and clear sky conditions,” a Meteorological Department official said. The official noted that these freezing conditions are expected to persist over the next few days, prolonging the winter blues for residents.
The severe weather extended across the neighboring states, with Ballowal Saunkhri in SBS Nagar, Punjab, recording a freezing 0°C. In Haryana, Hisar and Narnaul were among the worst hit, with temperatures dropping to 1.5°C and 1.8°C respectively. Major cities including Bathinda, Ludhiana, and Patiala also recorded minimums well below the seasonal average.
“Authorities urged citizens to take precautions, especially the elderly and children,” a government spokesperson said. The administration mentioned that specific measures are being taken to ensure heating arrangements in public medical facilities and shelters as the regional chill continues to intensify.
