Punjab has been engulfed in a chilling cold wave over the past few days. The temperatures dropped to an extent not seen in nearly 50 years in Punjab. Sunlight has been playing the role of a lifesaver in the afternoon, providing much needed warmth during the midday. But the terror of the cold wave continues, engulfing the mornings and evenings in bone-chilling cold. Thankfully, relief from the cold can be expected soon as according to the weather department, there is no possibility of the Western Disturbance arriving in the state over the coming 6 to 7 days.
Orange Alert has been declared across the state except 1-2 districts of Punjab for January 18-19. Low visibility due to dense fog is also forecast. There is a need to exercise caution while driving vehicles on the highway. However, relief from the haze is expected after January 20. There was snowfall witnessed in the upper reaches of Himachal but most of the areas including the capital Shimla remained untouched. There was dense fog in the plains and the cold wave prevailed in Una and Mandi.
The cold in Punjab has been breaking records as the minimum temperature of Nawanshahr district last night was recorded at -0.4°C. Earlier, on the night of January 14, the minimum temperature of Nawanshahr was recorded at -0.2°C. The Meteorological Department says that the Western Disturbance moves forward from the Mediterranean towards Afghanistan and Pakistan, but there is no possibility of the Western Disturbance arriving in the coming 6 to 7 days.