Intense cold wave grips Amritsar

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 17

With minimum temperature hovering around 2 degrees Celsius, the intense cold wave has gripped the city and its surrounding areas.

The intense cold weather has impacted general life and market places can be seen deserted late in the evening.

Even during the day, people can be seen sitting around fire in market places to keep themselves warm. The below normal daytime temperature has forced people to wear warm attire while moving out of their homes.

While the intense cold continued for the third consecutive day on Thursday, residents, thankfully, woke up to a clear sky, as fog had disappeared. Residents stated that cold wave has come a week early than usual. With weather forecast reports predicting the condition to persist for a few days, residents are expecting tough days due to harsh winter season.

Roads, public parks and playgrounds, which used to brim with activity and enthusiasm a week ago, can now be seen deserted during the early morning hours. Doctors, too, have advised residents, especially the elderly, to avoid jogging during the intense cold.

“People, especially children and the elderly, should avoid exposure to cold, as it might result in health troubles,” suggested Dr Sandeep Aggarwal, paediatrician at Government Medical College.

“Usually the intense cold season in the city starts from the last week of December and continues till the first week of January,” expressed an elderly. While the intense cold is the topic being widely discussed in most social interactions, residents are worried about the plight of farmers protesting in Delhi for the past more than three weeks.

“Though I love winter season as it gives me a chance to roam around dressed in heavy jackets, this time I am feeling guilty. While people are sleeping on roads, how can I be cheerful?” asked a medical student Manpreet Kaur.