Chandigarh reeled under an intense cold wave as the minimum temperature plunged to 2.8°C, the lowest recorded in the city in the past nine years.

The sharp dip brought winter blues to residents, with foggy mornings and icy winds adding to the chill.

Streets wore a deserted look in the early hours as people stayed indoors to escape the biting cold.

Homeless shelters witnessed an increased rush, while authorities urged citizens to take precautions, especially the elderly and children.

The Meteorological Department attributed the cold spell to northerly winds and clear skies, predicting persistently cold conditions over the next few days.

Punjab and Haryana also reeled under intense cold conditions on Tuesday.

Chandigarh had recorded a minimum temperature of 2.4°C on January 11, 2017, and 2.1°C on January 24, 2016.

Freezing cold swept many places in Punjab, where Ballowal Saunkhri in SBS Nagar recorded 0°C.

Bathinda recorded 1.6°, while Ludhiana, Patiala and Amritsar recorded respective minimums of 2.6°, 3° and 4.1°C.

Faridkot and Hoshiarpur were also under the grip of severe cold recording respective lows of 2° and 2.6°C.

In Haryana, Hisar and Narnaul reeled under biting chill recording respective minimum temperatures of 1.5° and 1.8°C.

Gurugram, which had on Monday recorded a low of 0.6°C, on Tuesday registered a minimum of 3. 3°C.Karnal recorded a minimum of 2°, Rohtak 3.8°, Ambala 4.2° while Faridabad registered a low of 4.3°C.