Cold wave intensifies, Met Dept predicts foggy days ahead in city

Sukhmeet Bhasin
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, December 13

The cold wave condition further intensified, throwing normal life out of gear in the city. The Sun did not come out for the second day today. The Weather Department has predicted moderate to dense fog at many places across the state during the next two days.

People warmed themselves around bonfire at many places in the city. Roads wore a deserted look in the evening with people confining themselves to their houses and shopkeepers winding up their business early. As per the Agri-Met Department of the regional station of Punjab Agricultural University(PAU), Bathinda, the city today witnessed drizzle in the day time and the weather remained chilled throughout the day. The city recorded a maximum temperature of 15.8 degrees Celsius and the minimum of 11.6 degree Celsius today.

The reason behind the cold winds was the season’s first snowfall at Manali and other high altitude areas yesterday.

The sudden drop in temperature during the past few weeks has increased the sale of woolens. Similarly, sale of room heaters has also seen a rise. Due to the changing 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 suggested that parents should take extreme care in getting their children properly covered.

The precautions from cold wave are wear enough layers of warm clothes, ice-creams and cold drinks should be avoided, avoid having heavy meals, keep yourself away from an infected person, touching your nose, eyes and mouth should be avoided, wash hands frequently and excessive cold and heat should be avoided.

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