Ludhiana: On Thursday, the maximum temperature dropped to 20.2°C—the lowest temperature ever recorded on March 19 since 1970. Dr. P.K. Kingra, Head of the Department of Meteorology at PAU, stated that the university possesses weather records dating back to 1970, and in the last 56 years, March 19 has never been this cold; the maximum temperature plummeted to 20.2°C, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 16.2°C. Kingra remarked, “The sky has remained overcast since morning, accompanied by continuous rainfall; so far, 2.4 mm of precipitation has been recorded. This cool weather is expected to persist until Friday.” Meanwhile, residents felt a distinct chill in the air throughout Thursday, owing to the rain and overcast skies that prevailed from the morning onwards.
Many people noted that this sudden shift in weather compelled them to bring out their light jackets. The month of March has witnessed significant fluctuations in temperature. During the first fortnight of the month, daytime temperatures soared 6–7 degrees above normal, creating a sudden sensation of summer; conversely, the maximum temperature has plummeted by 10 degrees over the last 48 hours. However, people have expressed delight at this sudden drop in temperature. Akash Malhotra, a bank employee, said, “At least the month of March will be comfortable now. Otherwise, due to the sudden spike in temperatures, we had been forced to switch on our air conditioners.” On the other hand, this weather has become a cause for concern for exhibitors setting up their stalls at the two-day ‘Kisan Mela’ (Farmers’ Fair) at PAU, which is scheduled to begin on Friday.
Ludhiana: The city recorded its lowest maximum temperature in 56 years on March 19.
