Amritsar records a minimum of -2.6 degrees

Amritsar recorded its coldest day ever on Thursday as the minimum temperature plunged to -2.6° Celsius, eight degrees below normal.

The cold wave sweeping most parts of north India intensified and Ambala recorded a low of 3.6° C, down three degrees, while Karnal was also colder by three degrees at 4.1° C, according to the meteorological department in Chandigarh.

Ludhiana and Patiala recorded minimums at 4.6° C and 4.7° C, respectively.

There was little respite for Kashmiris.

In Srinagar, residents groaned under a sub-zero temperature of -3.8° C, down two degrees.

Jammu also had a cold night at 5.3° C, down three.

In Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, Sundernagar and Bhuntar recorded 0.2° C, 0.6° C and 0.6° C, respectively.