Chandigarh: Bitterly cold conditions swept across Punjab and Haryana even as air, road and rail travellers faced cancellations, suspended services, and delays with heavy fog shrouding the region today. Temperatures dropped further as icy winds battered the two states.   

A piercing cold wave continued to grip Narnaul in Haryana and Bathinda in Punjab. The mercury at the two places settled at 1.5 degrees and 2.8 degrees Celsius, a MeT department official said. Visibility dropped below the 50-meter mark at many places.   Chandigarh was enveloped by thick fog in the morning. Icy winds forced a large number of city residents to remain indoors as the minimum temperature dropped to 5.2 degrees Celsius.     

Officials said fog delayed a number of trains passing through Punjab and Haryana. Flight operations were also hit. Hisar in Haryana shuddered at 3 degrees Celsius. Sirsa braved the cold at 4.4 degrees Celsius. Karnal recorded a low of 5.5 degrees Celsius, Rohtak 5 degrees and Bhiwani 5.6 degrees Celsius.     

Ambala had a low of 6.6 degrees Celsius. Amritsar in Punjab shivered at 4.4 degrees Celsius, Pathankot had a low of 5.5 degrees and Gurdaspur 7.6 degrees Celsius. Ludhiana (5.5) and Faridkot (5) reeled under the piercing cold. Halwara braved the cold at a low of 4.9 degrees Celsius.