Chandigarh, Jan 1 - The first day of 2010 saw the mercury dipping to the lowest this season here to 1.2 degrees Celsius. The weatherman has predicted a further dip. The minimum temperature in Amritsar was minus 0.2 degrees Celsius.

"There is no respite from the cold waves in this region and the minimum temperature at 1.2 degrees Celsius is three degrees below the average. We are predicting this trend to continue in the coming days and we are expecting both day and night temperature to fall further," an official told IANS.

"The temperature is quite stable and the western disturbances present in this region led to the dip in temperature. We are expecting heavy fog and mist during morning and evening hours here in the days ahead."

Punjab's holy city Amritsar with a minimum temperature of minus 0.2 degrees Celsius was the coldest in the region Friday. Minimum temperatures in Ludhiana and Patiala were 3.4 and 6.1 degrees Celsius respectively.

In Haryana, minimum temperatures at Ambala and Hissar were 4.5 and 7.2 degrees Celsius respectively, while Narnaul recorded a minimum temperature of 3.6 degrees Celsius. (IANS)