Ludhiana records coldest day in 40 yrs, DC orders schools shut

Ludhiana recorded its lowest day temperature in 40 years on Monday as the maximum temperature in the city was 7 degree Celsius, while the minimum touched 1.8 degrees Celsius. Confirming the same, Dr K K Gill of the agro-meterology department at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), said: "The minimum temperature in Ludhiana had touched -0.6 degrees in 2008 but the maximum of 7 degrees on Monday is the lowest in 40 years. Last year, the maximum temperature had dropped to 8 degrees, so it has crossed that level as well."

She added that the temperature was likely to remain low for the next 48 hours as well. "Light showers are expected due to western disturbances after 48 hours and the weather will start clearing from January 13 onwards," Gill said. In the plains, Bathinda was the coldest district with a minimum temperature of -1.4 degrees.

With temperatures plummeting, Education Minister Sikandar Singh Maluka on Monday directed schools to remain shut till January 13. While passing this order for Ludhiana schools, DC Rahul Tewari said: "The order stands for all private and government schools and if any school is found open, action will be taken against them. The district education officer has been deputed to check if any school is flouting the rules." The decision seems to have been taken after government and private schools reported poor attendance due to the inclement weather.

Meanwhile, some private schools in the city opened on Monday but have declared holidays for their kindergarten section. DC Tiwari, however, stated that the order stands for the entire school and not just one wing.

The intense cold has also affected children with many complaining of congestion in the chest, cold, cough and viral fever, according to Dr Ravinder Vatsayan and Dr Baldeep Singh, private practitioners from Ludhiana.

ALSO READ

‘Rail roko’ protest by 1984 Sikh riot victims hits passengers

KVM employees strike work, parents, kids inconvenienced

‘Tantrik’ dupes family of Rs 4.15 lakh

Leopard injures 2 in Sangowal village, rescued