Biting cold persists in Haryana, Punjab

Bhiwani, Narnaul and Hisar record 1.5°C, 2°C and 2.2°C, respectively, while morning fog blankets Chandigarh, which recorded a low of 5.3°C.

Biting cold persisted in Haryana and Punjab on Friday, with many places recording minimum temperatures close to freezing point.

People stand near a small fire to warm themselves during a cold winter morning in Gurugram on Friday. (PTI)

Ballowal Saunkhri in Punjab’s Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district recorded a low of 0.9°C. Intense cold prevailed in Gurdaspur, Bathinda and Amritsar with minimums settling at 2.7°C, 3°C and 3.2°C.

Bhiwani in Haryana was the coldest place in the state with a low of 1.5°C.

Narnaul and Hisar also reeled under intense chill, recording minimum temperatures of 2°C and 2.2°C, respectively.

According to the meteorological department, among other places in Haryana, Ambala recorded a low of 5.8°C, Karnal 6.2°C, Gurugram 4.9°C, Rohtak 5.2°C, while Faridabad registered a low of 4.9°C.

Ludhiana recorded a low of 5.2°C, while in Patiala the mercury settled at 6°C.

Fog reduced visibility during the morning hours at many places in the two states, including their common capital, Chandigarh, which recorded a low of 5.3°C.