Ludhiana experienced its coldest day of the ongoing winter season on Wednesday, with the maximum temperature plummeting to a chilling 14.6 degrees Celsius. This reading equalled the previous lowest day temperature recorded this winter on December 20, marking a severe dip in mercury levels.
Weather Data Points to Intensifying Cold
The city remained under a mostly cloudy sky on Wednesday, which significantly suppressed the day temperature. The recorded maximum of 14.6 degrees Celsius was 4.1 degrees below the normal average and was 1.4 degrees lower than Tuesday's reading. On the other hand, the night brought slight relief as the minimum temperature settled at 6.8 degrees Celsius, which was 1.5 degrees above normal and marginally higher than the previous night.
Dense Fog and Disruptions Gripped the City
Residents woke up to severely reduced visibility due to very dense fog on Wednesday morning. At 8:30 AM, visibility dropped to a mere 10 meters, causing disruptions. While conditions improved slightly later, visibility was still limited to 500 meters at several checkpoints during the day, including at 11:30 AM, 2:30 PM, and 5:30 PM.
Yellow Alert Issued, Colder Days Ahead
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Ludhiana district for the next four days. The forecast predicts a thunderstorm or lightning for Thursday, followed by dense fog and a cold wave from Friday through Sunday. A yellow alert is a cautionary advisory for relevant departments to stay prepared for adverse weather conditions.
According to the Met department's forecast, the day temperature in Ludhiana is expected to hover around 15 degrees Celsius for the next three days before rising to 17 degrees by Monday. More concerning is the predicted drop in night temperature, which is likely to fall to around 5 degrees Celsius by Friday and remain at similar levels over the weekend.
Residents Struggle with Biting Cold
The intense cold and icy breezes forced many citizens to alter their daily routines. Raj Kumar, a local businessman, stated that the chilly conditions kept him indoors. "The cold and the biting wind were too much. I managed all my work over the phone today and didn't step out," he said, adding that he relied on multiple cups of coffee and extra layers of clothing to stay warm.
Jaspreet Kaur, a homemaker, highlighted the increased reliance on heating appliances. "Unlike the past few days, we had to keep the room heater running throughout the day to cope with the cold," she shared, reflecting the harsh conditions faced by households.
As Ludhiana braces for the predicted cold wave, authorities and residents are gearing up for a further intensification of the winter chill in the coming days.
