LAHORE, Jan 26: The coldest yet persistent wave in its recorded history continued affecting life in the provincial metropolis and elsewhere on Saturday amidst the Met office announcement that it might last till Jan 30.

“The unusual cold wave is not only affecting Pakistan but also the entire region including the Middle East. It is the longest and the severest cold wave the country has ever had and is likely to continue by the end of this month,” Chief Meteorologist Shaukat Awan said, contradicting an earlier claim by the Met department that it would be over in the next two days.

He said the cold wave was giving lowest ever temperatures in the areas having mild weather like Karachi, Nawabshah, Sibbi and Kalat. “It is covering the entire country,” he said.

The maximum temperature in Lahore was 15 degree Celsius and the minimum -0.2 degrees Celsius. The wind was biting and strong, and the city was shivering even in the late afternoon.

People looked for warmth during the partly cloudy and almost sunny day but in vain. Short supply of gas added to the citizens’ woes too and they could not get the required warmth indoors. Those not affording the luxury shivered, wearing additional woollies for protection.

Those performing duties in the open, or homeless appeared to fight for their survival at many places in the city last night, burning papers and pieces of wood to stay warm.

Some homeless people were seen getting warmth by burning a pile of used wires thrown on a footpath at Chatterji Road near Urdu Bazaar on Saturday morning. Coughing but still braving the toxic and acrid smoke emanating from the burning wires, their main concern appeared to be just seeking warmth come what may.

The minimum temperature in many cities in Punjab and elsewhere in the country remained below freezing points because of strong wind, Awan added.

The Met office said a fresh westerly wave over Iran was likely to reach Pakistan in the next two to three days and under its influence, the cold spell might subside.

According to its report, the minimum temperature in Mianwali was -3 degrees Celsius, Murree - 6, Islamabad -2, Jhelum and Sargodha -1, Kalam -17.5, Malamjabba -11.5, Parachinar -6, Quetta -7.3, Kalat -10.5, Skardu -9 and Astore -11.

To explain reasons for the freezing weather, Awan said it was due to two consecutive spells of rain and snowfall earlier this month. There was no break between the two systems, which amplified their impact and accelerated the cold air rush.

Second, the wind started pumping in from the north-east (Siberia) instead of the south-west direction (Arabian Sea). After reaching Pakistan, it touched the fresh heavy snow over the mountains, also picking additional cold from there and bringing it to the plains of the country.

Third, the depth of the cold wave has been up to nearly 3,000ft, covering the country like a thick blanket of cold air mass. The wind on Saturday was strong, which increased the chill factor even stronger.

Awan said the temperatures were not going to rise quickly. Instead, the impact of the cold wave would start tapering off gradually. A cloud system likely to enter Pakistan on Jan 30 could provide some relief till Feb 3, he said.

“The cold wave is not limited to Pakistan. It is extending its impact up to the Middle East, generating snowfall in Iraq for the first time in its history, and cold weather in Dubai and Saudi Arabia,” he said.