Punjab shivers: Temperatures plummet to near zero, health department issues advisory amidst severe cold wave

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu) : The severe cold on Lohri in Punjab has added to the hardships of the people. The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for the first time this season. According to the department, the cold has reached its peak in the state, and relief is unlikely until January 15th. Dense to very dense fog will also be felt in many districts.

The cold is so severe that the minimum temperature in Bathinda has dropped to 0.6 degrees Celsius, the lowest this season so far. Significantly, Bathinda's temperature is currently lower than hill stations like Shimla and Mussoorie. In light of the situation, the Punjab government has appealed to the public to remain vigilant.

According to the Meteorological Department, rain is expected in some areas on January 17th and 18th, which is expected to provide some relief from the dry cold. Due to the cold, the state government has decided to keep schools closed until January 13th, with schools reopening on January 14th.

Red alert in 9 districts, dense fog in 12 districts

According to the Meteorological Department, today (January 13) there will be severe cold in Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar, Moga and Bathinda, adjoining Himachal, where a red alert has been issued. Apart from this, there is a warning of dense to very dense fog in Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar, Moga, Bathinda and Ludhiana. Cold wave alert has been issued in Pathankot, Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahr. The effect of cold may remain strong even during the day in some districts.

An increase in temperature is expected after January 15

Chandigarh Meteorological Department Director Surinder Pal Singh said that due to lack of rain, it is dry and intensely cold at this time. However, the sun has started shining in many areas, due to which the day temperature may increase in the coming days. There is no possibility of much change in the minimum temperature for the next three days, but after that the temperature may increase by 2 to 4 degrees. He said that around January 15, a new western disturbance may become active in the western Himalayan regions, due to which there will be snowfall and rain in the mountains and its effect will be seen on the weather of Punjab as well.

Health Department appeals for caution

Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh said that due to the severe cold and cold wave, elderly people, children, pregnant women and people suffering from serious diseases should take special precautions. He appealed to the people to keep themselves warm and avoid early morning walks. The Health Minister also warned that many people sleep in closed rooms with a burning stove, which can prove fatal. He advised the people to avoid such carelessness and said that the effects of cold may persist for the next 15 days.