Ludhiana Faces Prolonged Winter Chill, Orange Alert Sounds Alarm
Ludhiana residents woke up to another frigid morning on Thursday. The city continued to grapple with harsh winter conditions. Temperatures remained stubbornly below normal levels. The meteorological department delivered sobering news. They said the severe cold wave is likely to persist. Similar conditions are predicted for Friday as well.
Day and Night Temperatures Paint a Chilly Picture
The sun made a brief appearance during the day. It provided slight relief to the shivering populace. However, its impact on the overall temperature proved limited. Ludhiana recorded a maximum daytime temperature of 14 degrees Celsius. This reading sits 3.7 degrees Celsius below the normal mark for this time of year.
This comes after the city witnessed its coldest day temperature in two winters just a day earlier. On Wednesday, the maximum temperature settled at a mere 10.8 degrees Celsius.
Nighttime brought little comfort. The minimum temperature on Thursday was recorded at 5.2 degrees Celsius. This is 0.4 degrees below normal. It also marks a slight dip of 0.2 degrees from the previous night's reading.
Visibility Woes and Persistent Chill Disrupt Daily Life
Despite a marginal rise in daytime warmth, cold winds maintained their grip. The persistent chill continued to affect outdoor movement and daily routines. Dense fog enveloped the city on Thursday morning. Visibility plummeted to just 200 meters at 8:30 AM, causing disruptions.
The situation showed gradual improvement as the day progressed. By 11:30 AM, visibility had increased to 500 meters. Later in the afternoon, haze reduced visibility to 1,500 meters around 2:30 PM. Evening mist then brought visibility down again to 1,000 meters by 5:30 PM.
Weather Alerts and Forecast Signal No Immediate Relief
The meteorological department issued a stern advisory for the state. They have placed Ludhiana under an orange alert for Friday. The forecast predicts very dense fog at a few places. A severe cold wave is also expected to continue.
A yellow alert follows for the subsequent three days. It predicts dense fog at isolated locations during this period. According to the met department, an orange alert prompts concerned departments to be prepared. A yellow alert advises them to stay updated about adverse weather developments.
Residents reported a slight improvement in daytime conditions on Thursday compared to Wednesday. Avtar Singh, a local resident, shared his experience. He said it felt somewhat warmer during the day. However, a cold breeze persisted, making it uncomfortable to sit outdoors. He added that the severe evening and night chill made stepping out after sunset an unfeasible option for most people.
Temperature Trajectory Offers a Glimmer of Hope
According to the met department's website, the maximum temperature in Ludhiana is expected to drop further. It may reach 12 degrees Celsius on Friday. A gradual rise is forecast thereafter, potentially climbing to 16 degrees Celsius by next Wednesday.
The night temperature may see a slight increase. It could rise to 8 degrees Celsius by Saturday. This level may hold steady for two days. A subsequent fall to 7 degrees Celsius is anticipated by Tuesday.
The city remains in the grip of winter. Authorities urge caution as the orange alert takes effect. Residents continue to bundle up, hoping for a sustained break from the biting cold very soon.
