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Chandigarh woke up to a chilly morning with the temperature dipping to 19°C, the coldest October start in years, Tuesday. The city, usually basking in post-monsoon warmth, saw a high of just 23°C, prompting residents to pull out their shawls.
Weather experts said this sudden cold wave is sweeping across Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, bringing an early taste of winter. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said a strong western disturbance was behind the cold winds blowing from the Northwest.
Chandigarh is expected to experience light rain over the next two days, with temperatures possibly dropping to 17°C by October 8. In Punjab, places like Amritsar and Ludhiana might hit lows of 18°C and highs of 24°C by mid-week.
Haryana’s Ambala and Hisar also felt the chill, with morning fog making travel tricky for farmers and commuters.
Himachal Pradesh got the coldest deal. Hill stations like Shimla and Manali could see nights as cold as 10°C by October 10, with snow possible in higher areas above 3,000 metres. “This cold wave is unusual for early October. It might stay chilly till Diwali,” said an IMD official.
Apple farmers in the hills said they are worried about early frost damaging their crops.
Is this Chandigarh’s coldest October yet?
Not quite. Records show early October lows typically hover around 18-20°C. In 2019, the temperature reached 16.5°C on October 5, and in 2022, a record 14.1°C was recorded on October 3.
Tuesday’s 19°C, though, feels sharp after last week’s 23°C average. Experts say erratic monsoons and climate shifts make such early chills more common now.
The cold is already posing a challenge to farmers, particularly those who have not harvested the standing paddy. Punjab and Haryana farmers, busy sowing Rabi crops like wheat, fear delays due to wet, cold fields.
In Himachal, tourists are flocking to hill stations for the winter vibe, but slippery roads from rain worry travel operators. Doctors advise care against coughs and colds, as foggy air might trap pollution.
With temperatures likely to stay below 20°C until October 15, people are reaching for warm chai and blankets sooner than expected.
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