Chandigarh, Jan 6 - The residents of Punjab, Haryana and the joint capital Chandigarh continued to brave the cold wave and the freezing weather Wednesday as mercury dipped further in the region. The met department has forecast rainfall in the coming days.

Amritsar city of Punjab was the coldest in the region, with a minimum temperature of 1 degree Celsius. Ludhiana and Patiala cities were comparatively warmer as they recorded minimum temperature of 6.3 and 5.8 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Chandigarh shivered at a minimum temperature of 3.4 degrees Celsius Wednesday, down from Tuesday's temperature of 7 degrees Celsius.

"Today we have recorded a dip in both day and night temperature in almost all parts of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. Mercury remained below the normal level by three to four degrees Celsius in the entire region," said a met official here.

"Dense fog had engulfed most parts of these northern states till noon, thereby reducing the visibility to below 100 metres. This fog is due to the presence of western disturbances in the region. We are expecting rainfall in the coming days and after that we would have respite from both fog and intense cold."

The minimum temperatures at Ambala, Hisar and Karnal cities of Haryana were registered at 3.5, 7.3 and 5.4 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Foggy weather and overcast weather conditions derailed normal life hitting road, rail and air traffic.

Traffic movement along most highways in Punjab and Haryana was reduced to a crawl due to thick fog. Most trains were running late and hundreds of passengers were stranded at railway stations. (IANS)