City shivers at -0.2 degrees

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 28

Bathinda woke up to its coldest day this winter on Friday when the mercury dipped below the freezing point, causing frost in many parts of the region.

The region is in the grip of a piercing cold wave with the minimum temperature touching -0.2 degree Celsius in the city. As per PAU Weather Department, the minimum temperature would hover around 0 degree in the coming week.

This is the second time in the past three days that the mercury has dipped below the freezing point, throwing normal life out of gear in Bathinda and its adjoining areas. The city had recorded - 0.1 degree Celsius two days ago.

Icy winds and the resultant frost can be attributed to the western disturbance, which has caused fresh snowfall over the Himalayan region. The snowfall, in turn, has resulted in chilly winds over the plains in Northern India.

The weatherman predicted on Saturday that respite from prevailing chill is unlikely as there would be a possibility of mercury near the freezing point and frost to frost-like conditions in isolated parts of the region in the next 48 hours.

Hospitals in the area have witnessed a spurt in cases of cold and cough and chest infections in the past few days.

Due to the chilly weather conditions, people are affected with bronchitis, cough and cold. The number of patients suffering from winter ailments has seen a sharp increase in the past few days.

A city-based private doctor, Dr Ripudamanjit Singh Kalra, said, “Children below the age of 10 years are mostly affected as they are more prone to air-borne diseases. Throat and chest congestion with high fever are the symptoms of the illness, which is generally treated through antibiotics and home remedies.”

He added that ailments, that are common in winters, are also striking elderly, children and people who are suffering from asthma, allergies, pulmonary diseases, and diabetes.

Main symptoms of these diseases are sneezing, wheezing, chest pain, bronchitis, nose congestion, eye irritation and nasal allergy.