Cold spell persists in Punjab, Haryana; Patiala coldest at 4.4°C

The meteorological department has issued an orange alert for dense fog and cold day conditions over the weekend

Cold conditions continued in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on Saturday with Patiala recording the lowest minimum temperature of 4.4°C.

Students on their way to school on a cold and smoggy winter morning. The meteorological department in Chandigarh issued an orange alert for dense fog and cold day conditions over the weekend in Punjab and Haryana. (HT Photo)

Fog enveloped many places in the two states, while the minimum temperatures hovered a few notches above the normal at several places.

Amritsar in Punjab experienced cold conditions at a minimum temperature of 8.4°C, four notches above the normal, while Ludhiana recorded a low of 8.8°C, according to a report from the meteorological department in Chandigarh.

Pathankot, Bathinda, Faridkot and Gurdaspur experienced cold conditions with minimum temperatures of 8.3°C, 6°C, 6.8°C and 5°C, respectively.

Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a low of 9.7°C, two notches above normal.

In neighbouring Haryana, Bhiwani registered a low of 5.8°C. Ambala, Hisar, Karnal, Narnaul, Rohtak and Sirsa experienced cold conditions at 8°C, 6.1°C, 8.6°C, 6°C, 9°C and 7.8°C, respectively.

The meteorological department issued an orange alert for dense fog and cold day conditions over the weekend. The morning Kalka-New Delhi Shatabdi Express reached the national capital almost half an hour late. On Friday, the Kalka-New Delhi Shatabdi Express reached its destination 51 minutes late, while it was on time coming from Delhi to Kalka.