On Friday, the minimum temperature recorded was 5.5 degree Celsius, the lowest in three decades. The biting cold forced people to remain indoors since early evening. The main thoroughfare wore a deserted look. Even attendance in schools remained thin.

To combat the cold, the government has now instructed the Junagadh district administration to take adequate action in accordance with established contingency norms.

The prevailing cold wave has also affected the inflow of pilgrims to Junagadh and Somnath, as well as fishing activities in the Arabian Sea along the Veraval, Mangrol and Porbander ports. When contacted, Veraval fishing boat association's office bearer Bachubhai Vasta, said, "Chilly winds blowing in from the sea has badly affected the fish catches. Fish go deep into the sea when temperature dips," he said.

Porbander Boat Association's president Jivan Jungi said hundreds of fishing boats have remained anchored along the sea-shore in the absence of enough fish-catch. Strong winds and rough sea has also made venturing out into the open sea risky. Some 200 fishing boats that have ventured out since the last week are yet to return, he said.