People in Punjab and Chandigarh will face cold wave till 24th December. The weather department has issued a yellow alert for cold wave in a total of 18 districts.
The average maximum temperature has dropped by 0.5 degrees in 24 hours. Faridkot has recorded the highest average maximum temperature of 24.2 degrees Celsius. The night temperature was recorded at 0 degrees Celsius in Faridkot. According to the Meteorological Department, a western disturbance is forming in the Himalayan region due to which the temperature will further drop in the coming days. The temperature will drop by 2 to 3 degrees.
Apart from the western disturbance, there is a cyclonic circulation in Pakistan near Jammu and Kashmir as well. This is the reason behind the falling temperature of Punjab. Additionally, the wind movement from the hilly areas is constantly towards the plains.
Today, an orange alert has been issued due to cold wave in Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Faridkot and Moga in Punjab whereas yellow alert has been issued in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Fazilka, Muktsar, Bathinda, Fatehgarh Sahib, Roopnagar, Patiala and Mohali.
This chilling weather has increased the possibility of getting diagnosed with several diseases like flu, runny/congestion, or nosebleeds, usually caused by or worsening prolonged exposure to the cold.
Prolonged exposure to cold leads to frostbiting due to which the skin becomes pale, hard and numb and eventually dark blisters appear on open parts of the body such as the fingers, toes, nose, and earlobes.
Serious cases may require hospitalization. In some places, agriculture, water supply, transport and power sectors will also get affected. The residents are advised to wear Multi-layered clothes, stay indoors and minimize travel in order to avoid exposure to cold air.