Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh got some respite from the bone-chilling cold and dense fog of the last one week as bright sunshine enveloped the region Thursday.
There was an increase in the day temperature, and similar conditions are expected to prevail in the coming days, the weatherman said.
“The day temperature has increased by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius. Bright sunshine has subdued the chilling cold. Fog has lifted in most parts of Punjab and Haryana,” said a Met official here Thursday.
The Sikh holy city of Amritsar, which has witnessed the coldest spell in the plains during recent days, Thursday recorded a minimum temperature of 3.2 degrees Thursday.
Ludhiana and Patiala cities recorded a minimum of 6 and 5.6 degrees respectively. Chandigarh’s minimum temperature was 5 degrees.
In the wake of the intense cold in the region, the Chandigarh administration directed both government and private schools to extend the winter break of primary classes till Jan 15.
“We have seen an increase in the mercury but it can dip again after the melting of snow in the Himalayas. Besides, we are also expecting isolated spells of rain at night in this part of north India,” said the official.
In neighbouring Haryana, minimum temperatures at Ambala, Hisar and Karnal towns were recorded at 3.2, 7.2 and 5 degrees respectively Thursday.
